The effect of nutritional counseling on muscle mass and treatment outcome in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: A low muscle mass before start of treatment and loss of muscle mass during chemotherapy is related to adverse outcomes in patients with cancer. In this randomized controlled trial, the effect of nutritional counseling on change in muscle mass and treatment outcome in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer during first-line chemotherapy was studied. METHODS: Patients scheduled for first-line chemotherapy (n = 107) were randomly assigned to individualized nutritional counseling by a dietitian (NC) or usual care (UC). NC was aimed at sufficient protein- and energy intake, supported by oral supplements or enteral feeding if indicated. Furthermore, physical activity was encouraged. Outcomes were assessed at baseline (T0) and the time of the first (T1) and second (T2) regular follow-up computed tomography scans. The proportion of patients with a clinically relevant decrease in skeletal muscle area of ≥6.0 cm2, measured by computed tomography, was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included body weight, quality of life, treatment toxicity and progression free and overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients were enrolled (mean age, 65 years (SD, 11 years), 63% male). Mean change in skeletal muscle area from T0 till T1 was -2.5 (SD, 9.5) cm2, with no difference between NC versus UC (p = 0.891). The proportion of patients with a clinically relevant decrease in skeletal muscle area of ≥6.0 cm2 did not differ (NC 30% versus UC 31%, p = 0.467). NC compared with UC had a significant positive effect on body weight (B coefficient 1.7, p = 0.045), progression free survival (p = 0.039) and overall survival (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: NC of patients undergoing chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer had no effect on muscle mass. However, we found that NC may increase body weight and improve progression free survival and overall survival compared to UC in this group of patients. These findings need further evaluation in future clinical trials. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01998152; Netherlands Trial Register NTR4223.

Low radiographic muscle density is associated with lower overall and disease-free survival in early-stage colorectal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: In cancer patients with a poor prognosis, low skeletal muscle radiographic density is associated with higher mortality. Whether this association also holds for early-stage cancer is not very clear. We aimed to study the association between skeletal muscle density and overall mortality among early-stage (stage I-III) colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Furthermore, we investigated the association between skeletal muscle density and both CRC-specific mortality and disease-free survival in a subset of the study population. METHODS: Skeletal muscle density was assessed in 1681 early-stage CRC patients, diagnosed between 2006 and 2015, using pre-operative computed tomography images. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between muscle density and overall mortality, CRC-specific mortality and disease-free survival. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 48 months (range 0-119 months). Low muscle density was detected in 39% of CRC patients. Low muscle density was significantly associated with higher mortality (low vs. normal: adjusted HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.53-2.38). After stratification for comorbidities, the association was highest in patients with ≥ 2 comorbidities (HR 2.11, 95% CI 1.55-2.87). Furthermore, low skeletal muscle density was significantly associated with poorer disease-free survival (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.14-2.47), but not with CRC-specific mortality (HR 1.68, 95% CI 0.89-3.17) in a subset of the study population. CONCLUSION: In early-stage CRC patients, low muscle density was significantly associated with higher overall mortality, and worse disease-free survival.

Taste and smell perception and quality of life during and after systemic therapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to assess self-reported taste and smell perception after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients compared with women without cancer, and to assess whether taste and smell perception is associated with quality of life after the end of chemotherapy. METHODS: We included 135 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who completed chemotherapy and 114 women without cancer. Questionnaires on taste, smell, and quality of life were completed shortly after and 6 months after chemotherapy (patients) or at two moments with 6 months' time window in between (comparisons). RESULTS: Self-reported taste and smell perception were significantly lower in patients shortly after chemotherapy compared to the comparison group. Most patients recovered 6 months after chemotherapy, although patients who were still receiving trastuzumab then reported a lower taste and smell perception compared to patients who were not. A lower self-reported taste and smell were statistically significantly associated with a worse quality of life, social, emotional, and role functioning shortly after chemotherapy. Six months after chemotherapy, taste and smell were statistically significantly associated with quality of life, social and role functioning, but only in patients receiving trastuzumab. CONCLUSIONS: Most taste and smell alterations recovered within 6 months after the end of chemotherapy for breast cancer, but not for patients receiving trastuzumab. These results highlight the importance of monitoring taste and smell alterations during and after treatment with chemotherapy and trastuzumab, as they may impact quality of life.

Differences in dietary intake during chemotherapy in breast cancer patients compared to women without cancer.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy often experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite that potentially affect dietary habits. This study assessed the intake of energy, macronutrients and food groups before and during chemotherapy in breast cancer patients compared with women without cancer, and determined the association between symptoms and energy and macronutrient intake. METHODS: This study included 117 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients scheduled for chemotherapy and 88 women without cancer. Habitual intake before chemotherapy was assessed with a food frequency questionnaire. Two 24-h dietary recalls were completed on random days for each participant during the whole chemotherapy treatment for patients and within 6 months after recruitment for women without cancer. Shortly, after the dietary recall, participants filled out questionnaires on symptoms. RESULTS: Before chemotherapy, habitual energy and macronutrient intake was similar for breast cancer patients and women without cancer. During chemotherapy, breast cancer patients reported a significantly lower total energy, fat, protein and alcohol intake than women without cancer, as shown by a lower intake of pastry and biscuits, cheese, legumes and meat products. A decline in subjective taste perception, appetite and hunger and experiencing a dry mouth, difficulty chewing, lack of energy and nausea were associated with a lower energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms induced by chemotherapy are associated with lower dietary intake and manifested by a lower intake of specific food groups. To ensure an optimal dietary intake during chemotherapy, it is important to monitor nutritional status and symptom burden during chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

Fatal cerebral oedema in adult diabetic ketoacidosis.

In this report, a case of adult onset fatal cerebral oedema as a rare complication of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is described and confirmed at post-mortem pathological examination. The pathogenesis of cerebral oedema due to DKA is still unknown. Potential mechanisms include the administration of sodium bicarbonate leading to intracellular acidosis, excessive fluid infusion causing swelling of brain tissue, or reduction of plasma osmolarity by a rapid fall in glucose levels causing osmotic swelling.

Gefitinib as a last treatment option for non-small-cell lung cancer: durable disease control in a subset of patients.

BACKGROUND: We describe 16 months' single-institution experience with gefitinib ("Iressa", ZD1839) used as "ultimum refugium" for pretreated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Toxicity, response and survival data of NSCLC patients participating in a compassionate-use program with gefitinib were reviewed. Documented disease progression and confirmation of the absence of other treatment options were requested. Oral gefitinib at a dose of 250 mg/day was given until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or death. Cox's proportional hazards model was used to analyze relationships between factors and probability of survival. RESULTS: Rapid disease precluded treatment in eight cases. Of 92 evaluable patients, one-third had a baseline performance status (PS) of > or =2. The main side-effects of gefitinib were grade 1-2 diarrhea and skin rash. A disease control rate of 46% (objective response rate 8.7%) and 1-year survival of 29% were documented. Histology (adenocarcinoma) and a "never-smoking" history were predictive of response. Number of previous chemotherapy regimens, gender, time since diagnosis and time since last chemotherapy lacked such an association. Radiotherapy during gefitinib treatment was well tolerated and was associated with prolonged survival in a patient with multiple brain metastases. Multivariate analyses revealed a significant impact of PS on survival. A "never-smoking" history, adenocarcinoma/bronchoalveolar-cell carcinoma and female gender showed a trend towards better survival outcomes. CONCLUSION: Gefitinib's single-agent activity in a group consisting of pretreated NSCLC patients is confirmed. Side-effects of gefitinib were mild. Prolonged survival was associated with good PS and less significantly with a never-smoking history, female gender and histology. Additional studies on mechanisms of tumor control and selection of target populations for this remarkable new drug are warranted.