Development of the Early Nutritional Intervention for Elderly Patients with Advanced Cancer: Details of Nutritional Intervention in the Multimodal NEXTAC-ONE Program

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study is to elaborate on the nutritional intervention in a multimodal intervention (the NEXTAC-ONE program) for the elderly with advanced cancer and to evaluate its tolerability Methods: We prospectively recruited patients aged ≥70 years scheduled to receive first-line chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic or non-small-cell lung cancer. Three nutritional intervention were planned in 8-week study period. The nutritional counseling consists of standard nutritional advice, evaluation and support for nutrition impact symptom, and evaluation and support for eating-related distress and food environment problems. We also provide the oral nutritional supplements rich in Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA). Results: 29 patients (96%) of a total of 30 study registrants participated in all three nutrition interventions. Median proportion of days in which patients recorded a nutritional diary was 90%. Median consumption of supplements was 99 %. There was no adverse event associated with nutritional intervention. Conclusions: Our nutritional intervention program showed an excellent compliance in the elderly with advanced cancer patients, and our data indicated a potential protective effect on nutritional deterioration.