Nearly 60% of pediatric patients diagnosed with cancer develop malnutrition caused by a
combination of disease burden, side effects of chemotherapy, and the intensity of cancer
treatment. These patients are known to have an increased risk of infection, treatment-related
toxicity, inferior clinical outcomes, and increased risk of mortality. Malnutrition may
progress to cancer cachexia, characterized by anorexia, increased inflammation, decreased
fat, and decreased muscle mass with subsequent weight loss, which is associated with
decreased overall survival.
The goal of the proposed research is to determine changes in body composition, weight status,
and nutritional status between common nutrition interventions including oral nutrition
supplements (ONS), appetite stimulants, and enteral nutrition (EN) among pediatric cancer
patients. A secondary goal of this research is to utilize the findings to develop clinical
nutrition guidelines for this patient population. The specific objective of the research
proposed is to solve the lack of evidence to adequately treat nutritional deficits in the
pediatric oncology population. Without this data, there is a lack of clinical consistency in
the initiation and selection of appropriate nutrition interventions to provide a more
definitive pathway of care. This study can help formulate a clinical guideline for this
patient population before, during, and after treatment.
Phase:
Phase 2/Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Corey Hawes
Collaborator:
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)