Cancer cachexia in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer(NSCLC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Classifying cancer cachexia in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients (NSCLC) and assessing its influence on the efficacy of first line chemotherapy.
IRAS ID
159062
Contact name
Rhys White
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
St George's Unversity of London
Research summary
This is a quantitative observational prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed stage 3 (locally advanced disease) and stage 4 (metastatic disease) NSCLC to investigate the presence and severity of cancer cachexia and how this impacts on response to chemotherapy. The research will take place at a single cancer centre in England.
Cancer cachexia is a complex wasting disorder that comprises muscle and fat tissue loss, a reduction in appetite and accelerated metabolism due to the presence of a tumour. It is resistant to standard nutritional support and is associated with reduced function, tolerance to chemotherapy and survival. In it's simplest form it is often referred to cancer related weight loss.
There is no clear evidence for the management of cancer cachexia and a validated classification system is required to allow targeted appropriate cachexia interventions for the right patients at the right time. Recently an international consensus group have agreed a definition and classification model for cancer cachexia (Fearon et al., 2011). A period of validation is now required in order to explore the clinical relevance of the cachexia stages and determine it as a reliable assessment tool for use in clinical practice. This study aims to assess the ability of the model in determining the stage of cachexia in NSCLC patients and then determine the association of these stages with the efficacy of chemotherapy.
The study will involve a baseline cachexia assessment at diagnosis which includes a nutritional assessment consisting of body composition measurements, appetite and intake and blood markers of inflammation and anaemia. The majority of measurements/investigations required already form part of the participants standard care thus limiting any burden imposed by this research.
Patients will then be classified to stage of cachexia and followed through chemotherapy to determine its tolerance and outcome and whether the stage of cachexia influenced this.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1664
Date of REC Opinion
19 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion