Oncology

Nutrition can improve outcomes in cancer care

Malnutrition has many well-documented and negative effects for the cancer patient, including a negative prognosis, shorter survival, reduced response to treatment, higher hospital readmission rates and a lower quality of life.1Martin, et al. J Clin Oncol. Published on 2015 At Danone Research & Innovation we study specific nutrients and their potential role in improving outcomes for cancer patients:

• The loss of lean body mass is linked to negative clinical outcomes.2Kazemi-Bajestani SMR, et al. Semin Cell Dev Biol. Published on 2016;54:2-10 ,3Malietzis G, et al. Eur J Surg Oncol. DOI: Published on 2014 10.1016/j.ejso.2014.10.056″,4Prado C, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. Published on 2013;16:525–533 Cancer patients have higher protein needs than the general population, as highlighted in the ESPEN guidelines where it is recommended that cancer patients consume >1g of protein//kg of body weight and preferably 1.5g/kg13 (vs 0.75g/kg for the general healthy population).5Arends J, et al. ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients Clin Nutr, Published on 2016; epub Therefore, providing the right amount of quality protein is a prerequisite in supporting the maintenance of muscle mass.

• Due to anti-inflammatory properties, the use of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) can help to stabilise or improve appetite, food intake, lean body mass and body weight, as highlighted in ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients.6Arends J, et al. ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients Clin Nutr, Published on 2016; epub

• Micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in cancer patients due to reduced food intake, and can be further aggravated by cancer treatment.7Grober U et al. Nutrients. Published on 2016;8(3):163 ,8Ströhle A, et al. Oncology Reports. Published on 2010;24(4):815-28

• Dietary fibre is an essential component of a balanced diet, which is often limited in cancer patients.9Mardas del. et al. Support Care Cancer. Published on 2016;24:2619–2625 ,10Surwillo, et al. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. Published on 2013;64(3):225-233 Furthermore, patients undergoing chemo- and/or radiotherapy are more likely to suffer from diarrhoea. Therefore, delivering the right quality of fibre can help to improve stool consistency for these patients.11Garcia-Peris P et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. Published on 2016;70(2):170-174

Evidence-based benefits of medical nutrition

There is a growing body of evidence that supports the use of medical nutrition in cancer patients. These studies on nutritional interventions in cancer patients show promising results on:

  • Improving nutritional intake, reducing weight loss12Burden ST, et al. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. Published on 2017 13Baldwin et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. Published on 2012;104(5):371-385 ,14Kabata P, et al. Support Cancer Care. Published on 2015 ;23(2) :365-70
  • Improving quality of life15Baldwin et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. Published on 2012;104(5):371-385
  • Reducing treatment related toxicities and complications16Burden ST, et al. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. Published on 2017 ,17Baldwin et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. Published on 2012;104(5):371-385 ,18Kabata P, et al. Support Cancer Care. Published on 2015 ;23(2) :365-70
  • Reducing length of hospital stay19Manasek V et al. Klin Onkol. Published on 2016 ,20De Waele, et al. Appetite. Published on 2016;91:298-301

View References

View References
1 Martin, et al. J Clin Oncol. Published on 2015
2 Kazemi-Bajestani SMR, et al. Semin Cell Dev Biol. Published on 2016;54:2-10
3 Malietzis G, et al. Eur J Surg Oncol. DOI: Published on 2014 10.1016/j.ejso.2014.10.056″
4 Prado C, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. Published on 2013;16:525–533
5, 6 Arends J, et al. ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients Clin Nutr, Published on 2016; epub
7 Grober U et al. Nutrients. Published on 2016;8(3):163
8 Ströhle A, et al. Oncology Reports. Published on 2010;24(4):815-28
9 Mardas del. et al. Support Care Cancer. Published on 2016;24:2619–2625
10 Surwillo, et al. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. Published on 2013;64(3):225-233
11 Garcia-Peris P et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. Published on 2016;70(2):170-174
12, 16 Burden ST, et al. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. Published on 2017
13, 15, 17 Baldwin et al. J Natl Cancer Inst. Published on 2012;104(5):371-385
14, 18 Kabata P, et al. Support Cancer Care. Published on 2015 ;23(2) :365-70
19 Manasek V et al. Klin Onkol. Published on 2016
20 De Waele, et al. Appetite. Published on 2016;91:298-301