Immunonutrition and Tolerance to Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Head-neck Cancer

Efficacy of Immunonutrition in Improving Tolerance to Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Head-neck Cancer

The aim of the present project is to evaluate in a randomised, controlled, open-label, two parallel treatment groups pilot study, the efficacy of oral nutritional supplementation with a high-protein-high calorie mixture containing immunonutrients compared to a standard high-calorie-high-protein nutritional blend, in addition to nutritional counseling, in improving tolerance to chemoradiotherapy (CT-RT) in patients with tumours of the head and neck

In a recent study, we have shown that the systematic use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in combination with counseling further favours the maintenance of nutrition status, the recovery of quality of life and, more importantly, improves the practicability of CT-RT. This effect would be substantially attributable to the increase in protein-energy intake associated with ONS use, but also to the possible "nutraceutical" action of omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, modulation of the inflammatory response could play a role during cancer treatments. In this context, there is an already-known high-calorie-high-protein nutritional blend, enriched in immunonutrients (arginine, nucleotides and omega-3 fatty acids), which could also have an application in this type of patients. This mixture has proven effective in reducing the risk of post-operative complications (e.g. infections, fistulas, etc.) and the length of stay of patients undergoing major cancer surgery (abdominal and head and neck regions). Nevertheless, in oncology, there is a growing therapeutic interest in the modulation of inflammation and immunosuppression at the tumour microenvironment level.

In addition to nutritional counseling, patients will receive two servings of an oral high-calorie-high-protein nutritional liquid supplement enriched in immunonutrients (Impact®). The intervention will start 10-15 days before anticancer treatment initiation and will continue until treatment termination or dropout.

In addition to nutritional counseling, patients will receive two servings of an oral high-calorie-high-protein nutritional liquid supplement. The intervention will start 10-15 days before anticancer treatment initiation and will continue until treatment termination or dropout.

In addition to nutritional counseling, patients will receive two servings of an oral high-calorie-high-protein nutritional liquid supplement enriched in immunonutrients (Impact®). The intervention will start 10-15 days before anticancer treatment initiation and will continue until treatment termination or dropout.

In addition to nutritional counseling, patients will receive two servings of an oral high-calorie-high-protein nutritional liquid supplement. The intervention will start 10-15 days before anticancer treatment initiation and will continue until treatment termination or dropout.

Treatment-related moderate-severe adverse events as assessed by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE v5.0]

To be calculated as the percentage of chemotherapy dose administered with respect to the treatment plan

To be calculated as the percentage of radiotherapy dose administered with respect to the treatment plan

To be calculated as the percentage of variation of the duration of the chemotherapy and radiotherapy compared to the planned duration

Difference in the incidence of any toxicity, according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE v5.0]

Defined as a complete response or partial response confirmed by a subsequent assessment no earlier than 2 months after the initial documentation. Response is assessed in patients with a measurable disease using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria

Change in skeletal muscle mass during the study evaluated with bioimpedance vectorial analysis and computed tomography scans (C3)

Change in quality of life during the study as assessed by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire version 3.0 [EORTC QLQ-C30]

Change in fatigue during the study as assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire

The rate of patients requiring unplanned hospitalization (one or more) during the study will be calculated

Inclusion Criteria: diagnosis of head-neck cancer indication to curative or adjuvant chemoradiotherapy availability to planned measurements and to written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: age <18 years indication to or ongoing artificial nutrition refusal

Depending on a specific research question and according to a study protocol to be approved by the Ethics Committee

Cereda E, Cappello S, Colombo S, Klersy C, Imarisio I, Turri A, Caraccia M, Borioli V, Monaco T, Benazzo M, Pedrazzoli P, Corbella F, Caccialanza R. Nutritional counseling with or without systematic use of oral nutritional supplements in head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Radiother Oncol. 2018 Jan;126(1):81-88. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2017.10.015. Epub 2017 Oct 27.

Boisselier P, Kaminsky MC, Thezenas S, Gallocher O, Lavau-Denes S, Garcia-Ramirez M, Alfonsi M, Cupissol D, de Forges H, Janiszewski C, Geoffrois L, Sire C, Senesse P; Head and Neck Oncology and Radiotherapy Group (GORTEC). A double-blind phase III trial of immunomodulating nutritional formula during adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients: IMPATOX. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Dec 10;112(6):1523-1531. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa227.

Caccialanza R, Cereda E, Klersy C, Nardi M, Masi S, Crotti S, Cappello S, Caissutti V, Brovia C, Lobascio F, Formisano E, Colombo S, Filippi AR, Bonzano E, Comoli P, Catenacci L, Alberti A, Musella V, Ferrari A, Imarisio I, Tancredi R, Monaco T, Ghi MG, Bossi P, Pedrazzoli P. The efficacy of immunonutrition in improving tolerance to chemoradiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer, receiving nutritional counseling: study protocol of a randomized, open-label, parallel group, bicentric pilot study. Ther Adv Med Oncol. 2021 Sep 11;13:17588359211025872. doi: 10.1177/17588359211025872. eCollection 2021.