Exocrine pancreatic and enterocyte function in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Exocrine pancreatic function is affected in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC), clinically leading to steatorrhea. It is unknown whether maldigestion and malabsorption can also be attributed to impaired intestinal enterocyte function. In this exploratory study enterocyte function was assessed in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer, treated with Irreversible Electroporation (IRE). METHODS: Enterocyte function was studied by Citrulline Generation Test (CGT). Intestinal absorption capacity of energy and fat was calculated from the differences between nutritional intake (four-days diary) and quantified fecal losses energy and fat in three-days feces collection. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included before IRE, and 5 patients had follow-up measurements. Fasted citrulline [CIT] and glutamine [GLU] levels were below reference levels of healthy subjects ([CIT] 38 ± 8 µmol/L; [GLU] 561 ± 77 µmol/L) both before ([CIT] 25 ± 9 µmol/L; [GLU] 65 ± 35 µmol/L) and after IRE ([CIT] 19 ± 9 µmol/L; [GLU] 53 ± 26 µmol/L) whereas CGT curves were normal, indicating normal enterocyte function (slope 0.21 ± 0.12 and 0.17 ± 0.07 µmol/L/min; [CIT] increment 63 ± 39 and 80 ± 44% respectively). Severe energy/fat malabsorption was present in 6 out of 12 patients with LAPC (mean loss 349 kcal/d, 13 g fat/d) before and in 4 out of 5 patients (mean loss 509 kcal/d, 32 g fat/d) after IRE respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Enterocyte function was generally within reference limits in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Severe malabsorption may be explained by exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

Assessment of Nutritional Status, Digestion and Absorption, and Quality of Life in Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To provide a comprehensive quantitative assessment of nutritional status, digestion and absorption, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). METHODS: Sixteen patients with LAPC were prospectively assessed for weight loss (WL), body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass index (FFMI), handgrip strength (HGS), dietary macronutrient intake, serum vitamin levels, resting and total energy expenditure (REE and TEE, indirect calorimetry), intestinal absorption capacity and fecal losses (bomb calorimetry), exocrine pancreatic function (fecal elastase-1 (FE1)), and gastrointestinal quality of life (GIQLI). RESULTS: Two patients had a low BMI, 10 patients had WL > 10%/6 months, 8 patients had a FFMI < P10, and 8 patients had a HGS < P10. Measured REE was 33% higher (P = 0.002) than predicted REE. TEE was significantly higher than daily energy intake (P = 0.047). Malabsorption (<85%) of energy, fat, protein, and carbohydrates was observed in, respectively, 9, 8, 12, and 10 patients. FE1 levels were low (<200 µg/g) in 13 patients. Total QoL scored 71% (ample satisfactory). CONCLUSION: Patients with LAPC have a severely impaired nutritional status, most likely as a result of an increased REE and malabsorption due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The trial is registered with PANFIRE clinicaltrials.gov NCT01939665.