Showing papers by "Federico Bozzetti published in 2020"

Weighing the role of skeletal muscle mass and muscle density in cancer patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors: a multicenter real-life study

Abstract: Sarcopenia represents one of the hallmarks of all chronic diseases, including cancer, and was already investigated as a prognostic marker in the pre-immunotherapy era. Sarcopenia can be evaluated using cross-sectional image analysis of CT-scans, at the level of the third lumbar vertebra (L3), to estimate the skeletal muscle index (SMI), a surrogate of skeletal muscle mass, and to evaluate the skeletal muscle density (SMD). We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive advanced cancer patient treated with PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors. Baseline SMI and SMD were evaluated and optimal cut-offs for survival, according to sex and BMI (+/−25) were computed. The evaluated clinical outcomes were: objective response rate (ORR), immune-related adverse events (irAEs), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). From April 2015 to April 2019, 100 consecutive advanced cancer patients were evaluated. 50 (50%) patients had a baseline low SMI, while 51 (51%) had a baseline low SMD according to the established cut offs. We found a significant association between SMI and ECOG-PS (p = 0.0324), while no correlations were found regarding SMD and baseline clinical factors. The median follow-up was 20.3 months. Patients with low SMI had a significantly shorter PFS (HR = 1.66 [95% CI: 1.05–2.61]; p = 0.0291) at univariate analysis, but not at the multivariate analysis. They also had a significantly shorter OS (HR = 2.19 [95% CI: 1.31–3.64]; p = 0.0026). The multivariate analysis confirmed baseline SMI as an independent predictor for OS (HR = 2.19 [1.31–3.67]; p = 0.0027). We did not find significant relationships between baseline SMD and clinical outcomes, nor between ORR, irAEs and baseline SMI (data not shown). Low SMI is associated with shortened survival in advanced cancer patients treated with PD1/PDL1 checkpoint inhibitors. However, the lack of an association between SMI and clinical response suggests that sarcopenia may be generally prognostic in this setting rather than specifically predictive of response to immunotherapy.

Does nutrition for cancer patients feed the tumour? A clinical perspective.

Abstract: This review aims to answer to two basic questions: a) Which substrates does a tumour utilize and is there a regimen that might potentially favour the host over the tumour? and b) Does nutritional intervention disproportionally affect tumour growth? Literature to date focuses on humans; although some references to molecular mechanisms regulating cancer cells metabolism derive from studies on experimental tumours and cell biology. Literature shows that some tumours, especially those of the brain and head/neck and lung, are glucose-dependent, and patients with these tumours could benefit from a normocaloric ketogenic diet provided these tumours exhibit high fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) captation. A high fat-protein, low carbohydrate diet appears to better fulfil the nutritional requirements of the cancer patient. Current evidence shows no improvement in tumoral response after restricting patients' caloric intake; whereas malnutrition is acknowledged as an important negative predictive and prognostic factor in all cancer patients.

Home parenteral nutrition versus artificial hydration in malnourished patients with cancer in palliative care: a prospective, cohort survival study.

Abstract: Objective The evidence base for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) in patients with advanced cancer is lacking. To compare the survival of malnourished patients with cancer undergoing palliative care who received HPN with a homogeneous group of patients, equally eligible for HPN, who did not receive HPN. Design Prospective, cohort study; tertiary university hospital, home care, hospice. Methods Patients were assessed for HPN eligibility according to the guidelines. In the eligible population, who received both HPN and chemotherapy was excluded, while who received only HPN was included in the HPN+ group and who received neither HPN nor chemotherapy but artificial hydration (AH) was included in the HPN− group. Results 301 patients were assessed for HPN eligibility and 86 patients (28.6%) were excluded for having severe organ dysfunction or Karnofsky performance status Conclusions Comparative survival associated with the use of HPN versus AH showed significantly longer survival in malnourished patients with advanced cancer receiving HPN. These data support the guideline recommendation that HPN should be considered when malnutrition represents the overriding threat for the survival of these patients.

Is there a place for nutrition in palliative care

Abstract: Although nutritional interventions are becoming widely used in cancer patients, purposes and results of such treatment are not always well-defined. This is because nutrition is traditionally considered a palliative treatment to be confined to the area of palliative cares, whereas the modern approach includes nutrition as an early supplemental support to improve compliance of patients with the oncologic therapies and total parenteral nutrition may be recommended in patients who would be destined to succumb prior from starvation-malnutrition than from tumour progression. Purpose of this paper if to define the potential as well as the limitations of nutritional interventions on both the survival and the quality of life of the advanced cancer patients. Some RCT on the use of oral, enteral and supplemental parenteral nutrition in patients on oncologic therapy show some benefit on compliance with therapy and in some domains of quality of life. Some malnourished (hypo)aphagic incurable cancer patients may survive longer thanks to parenteral nutrition, while few data suggest that quality of life may be maintained for a limited period of time. With a few exceptions, oncology and nutrition have till recently travelled on parallel tracks without talking each other. The oncologist who knows the natural history of the patients should understand which risk of complication and of poor tolerance to the treatment can malnourished patients carry and which is the potential of parenteral nutrition in hypophagic incurable patients.

Nutritional Status in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Receiving Chemoradiation and Assessing the Efficacy of Usual Care for Nutritional Managements

Abstract: Background: Malnutrition is prevalent in esophageal cancer patients which affects cancer prognosis. The purpose of this study was a comprehensive assessment of nutritional status during Chemoradiation (CRT). Methods: Newly diagnosed adults with esophageal cancer were recruited for this study. Patient-Generated- Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), anthropometric indices, body composition, dietary intake, laboratory tests, and nutritional-related complications were assessed before, after, and 4 to 6 weeks after CRT. Results: Seventy-one cases were enrolled. The mean age was 66.8±12 years. Patients’ mean weight loss was 2.42±2.4 kilograms during treatment. A significant reduction observed in mean MUAC (26.68±4.9 vs. 25.42±5.1 cm), fat mass percentage (24.11±11.8 vs. 22.8±12.5), fat free mass index (16.87±2.4 vs. 16.47±2.6 kg/m2) and hand grip strength (43.2±19 vs. 36.1±20 kg) during CRT (all p-values <0.0001). We had also a non-significant change in mean energy intake (19.5±11 vs. 18.3±11 kcal/kgw. day) and protein intake (0.56±0.4 vs. 0.66±0.5 g/kgw.day) during CRT. In our assessment before, immediately after and 4-6 weeks following CRT, we recorded energy intake insufficiency in 55.7%, 58.7% and 27.3% and protein intake inadequacy in 89.8%, 89.1% and 72.7% of cases, respectively. The most common complications were dysphagia (56.7%), anorexia (25%), and constipation (47.9%) at admission. Dysphagia improved in some cases (42%), but anorexia (35%), early satiety (25%), Esophagitis (25%), dysosmia (21%) and dysgeusia (17%) were increased as CRT complication. yet, 25% of patients had dysphagia and 34.4% had constipation 4-6 weeks after CRT. The twelve-months mortality was significantly associated with lower BMI after CRT, primary PG-SGA score, weight loss, BMI<18.5, MUAC, physical performance, living in rural or urban areas, addiction. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated a high prevalence of malnutrition among esophageal cancer patients which worsened during Chemoradiotherapy. Our findings warrant early screening and monitoring of nutritional status and effective nutritional interventions with symptoms management during treatment in these patients.

An international survey on clinicians' perspectives on the diagnosis and management of chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction and enteric dysmotility.

Abstract: Background Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) and enteric dysmotility (ED) are small intestinal motility disorders defined by radiological and manometric criteria. In the absence of consensus guidelines, we surveyed opinions on the diagnosis and management of CIPO and ED among experts from different countries. Methods A survey questionnaire was circulated electronically to members of the European society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, European Society of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, and United European Gastroenterology. Only responses from participants completing all required components were included. Key results Of 154 participants, 93% agreed that CIPO and ED should be classified separately. Overall, 73% reported an increasing incidence of CIPO and ED, with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome the group with the largest increase in referrals (37%), particularly in the UK (P 50% cases) and full thickness biopsies were reported to seldom influence medical treatment, nutritional management, and prognosis. Respondents reported that very few treatments are useful for most patients, with bacterial overgrowth treatment, prucalopride, and psychological therapies felt to be the most useful. While only 23% of clinicians felt that parenteral nutrition (PN) improves gastrointestinal symptoms in >50% of cases, 68% reported PN dependency at 5 years in the majority of cases. Conclusions and inferences These data highlight the difficulties with diagnosing and managing CIPO and ED and underscore the urgent need for international, multidisciplinary, clinical practice guidelines.

Nutrition Information in Oncology - Extending the Electronic Patient-Record Data Set.

Abstract: Electronic health records (EHRs) present extensive patient information and may be used as a tool to improve health care. However, the oncology context presents a complex content that increases the difficulties of EHR application. This study aimed at developing openEHR-archetypes representing clinical concepts in cancer nutrition-care, as well as to develop an openEHR-template including the aforementioned archetypes. The study involved the following stages: 1) a thorough literature review, followed by an expert's (nutrition guideline authors) survey, aiming to identify the main statements of published clinical guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients that were not included on the Clinical Knowledge Manager (CKM) repository; 2) modelling of the archetypes using the Ocean Archetype Software and submission to the CKM repository; 3) creating an example template with Template Designer; and 4) automatic conversion of the openEHR-template into a readily usable EHR using VCIntegrator. The clinical concepts (among 17 clinical concepts not yet available in the CKM repository) chosen for further development were: body composition, diet plan, dietary nutrients, dietary supplements, dietary intake assessment, and Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST). So far, four archetypes were accepted for review in the CKM repository and a template was created and converted into an EHR. This study designed new openEHR-archetypes for nutrition management in cancer patients. These archetypes can be included in EHR. Future studies are needed to assess their applicability in other areas and their practical impact on data quality, system interoperability and, ultimately, on clinical practice and research.

Effects of medical nutrition therapy compared with general nutritional advice on nutritional status and nutrition-related complications in esophageal cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiation: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this randomized controlled trial study was to assess the effects of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) compared with general nutritional advice (NA) on nutritional status in esophageal cancer (EC) patients during Chemoradiation (CRT). METHOD: The sample includes one hundred newly diagnosed patients with EC. The MNT group received individualized nutritional therapy. The NA group received general nutritional advice at the beginning of the participation. Patient-Generated- Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), anthropometric indices, body composition, dietary intake, laboratory tests, and nutrition-related complications were assessed. RESULTS: Forty-nine cases were in the MNT group. The MNT group had significantly more favorable energy (26.4±14.1 vs. 18.2±11.2 kcal/kgw.day) and protein (1±0.6 vs. 0.7±0.4 g/kgw.day) intake than the NA group at the final evaluation. The PG-SGA score diminished but not significantly in both groups (11±6 vs. 12±6). As compared to the NA group, patients in the MNT group experienced more frequently no weight loss (21% vs. 11%) or mild weight loss (40% vs 35%) during the treatment. Meanwhile, moderate weight loss was more frequently observed in the NA group (26% vs. 44%). In the MNT group, those with severe weight loss had not proper adherence to the nutritional protocol. Mid-upper arm circumference, body composition, laboratory tests, physical performance, and nutrition-related complications were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: As compared to general NA, MNT improved energy and macronutrients intake in patients with EC undergoing CRT which resulted in less severe weight loss and potentially better nutritional status.