Randomized clinical trial of omega-3 fatty acid-supplemented enteral nutrition versus standard enteral nutrition in patients undergoing oesophagogastric cancer surgery

The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) as a complementary in colorectal cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy in developed countries. Therefore, omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) have been suggested as a beneficial complementary treatment due to their ability to regulate inflammatory responses and improve nutrition levels.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of O3FAs as a complementary treatment for inflammation, nutrition levels, post-operative infectious complications, and enhancement of recovery in CRC patients.

METHODS

The literature search was carried out through three databases. The outcomes of interest were assessed by measuring pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and CRP levels, serum albumin levels for nutrition assessment, post-operative infectious complications, and length of stay for recovery evaluation. Quality appraisal and meta-analysis were performed using RoB 2.0 and RevMan 5.4, respectively.

RESULTS

The result showed that O3FAs significantly reduced IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α, but did not affect IL-1β. Furthermore, the variable slightly increased serum albumin levels and the supplementation led to a decrease in post-operative infectious complications and shortened hospital stays.

CONCLUSION

O3FAs as a complementary treatment provided advantages for CRC patients, Further clinical trials and experiments should also be made emphasizing the impact and clinical implementation of O3FA in the nutritional status of CRC patients.

An updated review of immunotherapy in esophageal cancer: PD-L1 footprint

Esophageal cancer is considered one of the most significant challenges to public health worldwide. While various therapeutic options exist for esophageal cancer, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, several adverse effects of these medications have been reported. Therefore, a new generation of therapeutic lines should be applied to minimize complications. In this regard, immunotherapy is a novel approach that aims to kill tumor cells directly by targeting them. Specifically, monoclonal antibodies can target specific markers of esophageal cancer tumor cells, keeping other normal cells safe. Multiple monoclonal antibodies optimized for esophageal cancer, such as pembrolizumab, ramucirumab, trastuzumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab, are available. On the other hand, esophageal cancer tumor cells express a specific inhibitory ligand and its receptor called programmed cell death, which can suppress T cell immune responses. This receptor provides an inhibitory signal, causing the highest expression of the PD-L1 ligand on tumor cells. The outcomes of this interaction lead to the suppression of the activation and function of T lymphocytes. Therefore, immunotherapy for esophageal cancer targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has shown a remarkable correlation with cancer care. This study presents a comprehensive review of the latest findings related to immunotherapy in esophageal cancer.

Pharmaconutrition: Which substrates?

With the term "pharmaconutrition" or "immunonutrition" is intended the use of specific nutritional substrates having the ability of modulating specific mechanisms involved in several immune and inflammatory pathways. To achieve these goals, these substrates have to be administered with over physiologic dose. Glutamine and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, used as single substrate, did not show clear clinical advantages on solid endpoints such as postoperative complications. Despite several multiple substrate enteral feeds are available on the market, very few of them have been tested in randomized clinical trial to prove efficacy. The most extensive investigated formulation is a combination of arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, ribonucleic acid with or without glutamine. Several meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials have been conducted to compare the effects of enteral immunonutrition with control diets on post-surgical morbidity. The results consistently showed that the use of enteral multiple substrate formulas significantly reduced infectious complications and duration of hospitalization. In a more contemporary view, pharmaconutrition should be tested more accurately in the contest of enhanced recovery programs, during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and in the prehabilitation setting.

Preoperative nutrition therapy in people undergoing gastrointestinal surgery

BACKGROUND

Poor preoperative nutritional status has been consistently linked to an increase in postoperative complications and worse surgical outcomes. We updated a review first published in 2012.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of preoperative nutritional therapy compared to usual care in people undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, Embase, three other databases and two trial registries on 28 March 2023. We searched reference lists of included studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of people undergoing gastrointestinal surgery and receiving preoperative nutritional therapy, including parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition or oral nutrition supplements, compared to usual care. We only included nutritional therapy that contained macronutrients (protein, carbohydrate and fat) and micronutrients, and excluded studies that evaluated single nutrients. We included studies regardless of the nutritional status of participants, that is, well-nourished participants, participants at risk of malnutrition, or mixed populations. We excluded studies in people undergoing pancreatic and liver surgery. Our primary outcomes were non-infectious complications, infectious complications and length of hospital stay. Our secondary outcomes were nutritional aspects, quality of life, change in macronutrient intake, biochemical parameters, 30-day perioperative mortality and adverse effects.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methodology. We assessed risk of bias using the RoB 1 tool and applied the GRADE criteria to assess the certainty of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 16 RCTs reporting 19 comparisons (2164 participants). Seven studies were new for this update. Participants' ages ranged from 21 to 79 years, and 62% were men. Three RCTs used parenteral nutrition, two used enteral nutrition, eight used immune-enhancing nutrition and six used standard oral nutrition supplements. All studies included mixed groups of well-nourished and malnourished participants; they used different methods to identify malnutrition and reported this in different ways. Not all the included studies were conducted within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programme, which is now current clinical practice in most hospitals undertaking GI surgery. We were concerned about risk of bias in all the studies and 14 studies were at high risk of bias due to lack of blinding. We are uncertain if parenteral nutrition has any effect on the number of participants who had a non-infectious complication (risk ratio (RR) 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36 to 1.02; 3 RCTs, 260 participants; very low-certainty evidence); infectious complication (RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.80; 3 RCTs, 260 participants; very low-certainty evidence) or length of hospital stay (mean difference (MD) 5.49 days, 95% CI 0.02 to 10.96; 2 RCTs, 135 participants; very low-certainty evidence). None of the enteral nutrition studies reported non-infectious complications as an outcome. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of enteral nutrition on the number of participants with infectious complications after surgery (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.38; 2 RCTs, 126 participants; very low-certainty evidence) or length of hospital stay (MD 5.10 days, 95% CI -1.03 to 11.23; 2 RCTs, 126 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Immune-enhancing nutrition compared to controls may result in little to no effect on the number of participants experiencing a non-infectious complication (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.62 to 1.00; 8 RCTs, 1020 participants; low-certainty evidence), infectious complications (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.04; 7 RCTs, 925 participants; low-certainty evidence) or length of hospital stay (MD -1.22 days, 95% CI -2.80 to 0.35; 6 RCTs, 688 participants; low-certainty evidence). Standard oral nutrition supplements may result in little to no effect on number of participants with a non-infectious complication (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.20; 5 RCTs, 473 participants; low-certainty evidence) or the length of hospital stay (MD -0.65 days, 95% CI -2.33 to 1.03; 3 RCTs, 299 participants; low-certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of oral nutrition supplements on the number of participants with an infectious complication (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.60 to 1.27; 5 RCTs, 473 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Sensitivity analysis based on malnourished and weight-losing participants found oral nutrition supplements may result in a slight reduction in infections (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.85; 2 RCTs, 184 participants). Studies reported some secondary outcomes, but not consistently. Complications associated with central venous catheters occurred in RCTs involving parenteral nutrition. Adverse events in the enteral nutrition, immune-enhancing nutrition and standard oral nutrition supplements RCTs included nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We were unable to determine if parenteral nutrition, enteral nutrition, immune-enhancing nutrition or standard oral nutrition supplements have any effect on the clinical outcomes due to very low-certainty evidence. There is some evidence that standard oral nutrition supplements may have no effect on complications. Sensitivity analysis showed standard oral nutrition supplements probably reduced infections in weight-losing or malnourished participants. Further high-quality multicentre research considering the ERAS programme is required and further research in low- and middle-income countries is needed.

Retrospective analysis of preoperative application of triple-modal pre-rehabilitation on postoperative recovery of colorectal cancer patients

PURPOSE

To retrospectively analyze the difference between triple-modal pre-rehabilitation and common treatment in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

A total of 145 patients with CRC diagnosed by pathology and admitted to our hospital for surgery between June 2020 and June 2022 were included in the study. All patients were divided into two groups: the triple-modal pre-rehabilitation group (pre-rehabilitation group) and the common treatment group. The triple-modal pre-rehabilitation strategy included exercise (3-5 times per week, with each session lasting more than 50 min), nutritional support, and psychological support. The study was designed to assess the potential of the pre-rehabilitation intervention to accelerate postoperative recovery by assessing the 6-min walk test, nutritional indicators, and HADS score before and after surgery.

RESULTS

The pre-rehabilitation intervention did not reduce the duration of initial postoperative recovery or the incidence of postoperative complications, but it did increase the patients' exercise capacity (as determined by the 6-min walk test), with the pre-rehabilitation group performing significantly better than the common group (433.0 (105.0) vs. 389.0 (103.5), P < 0.001). The study also found that triple-modal pre-rehabilitation was beneficial for the early recovery of nutritional status in surgical patients and improved anxiety and depression in patients after surgery, especially in those who had not received neoadjuvant therapy.

CONCLUSION

The triple-modal pre-rehabilitation strategy is of significant importance for reducing stress and improving the functional reserve of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) during the perioperative period. The results of our study provide further support for the integration of the triple-modal pre-rehabilitation strategy into the treatment and care of CRC patients.

Impact of Perioperative Immunonutrition on Postoperative Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Head and Neck or Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgeries: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE

To clarify whether perioperative immunonutrition is effective in adult patients with or without malnutrition undergoing elective surgery for head and neck (HAN) or gastrointestinal (GI) cancers.

BACKGROUND

It is important to avoid postoperative complications in patients with cancer as they can compromise clinical outcomes. There is no consensus on the efficacy of perioperative immunonutrition in patients with or without malnutrition undergoing HAN or GI cancer surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science Core Selection, and Emcare from 1981 to 2022 using search terms related to immunonutrition and HAN or GI cancer. We included randomized controlled trials. Intervention was defined as immunonutritional therapy including arginine, n-3 omega fatty acids, or glutamine during the perioperative period. The control was defined as standard nutritional therapy. The primary outcomes were total postoperative and infectious complications, defined as events with a Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥ II that occurred within 30 days after surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 4825 patients from 48 included studies, 19 had upper GI cancer, 9 had lower, and 8 had mixed cancer, whereas 12 had HAN cancers. Immunonutrition reduced the total postoperative complications (relative risk ratio: 0.78; 95% CI, 0.66-0.93; certainty of evidence: high) and infectious complications (relative risk ratio: 0.71; 95% CI, 0.61-0.82; certainty of evidence: high) compared with standard nutritional therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional intervention with perioperative immunonutrition in patients with HAN and GI cancers significantly reduced total postoperative complications and infectious complications.

Measurement and optimization of perioperative risk among patients undergoing surgery for esophageal cancer

Esophagectomy is an exemplar of complex oncological surgery and is associated with a relatively high risk of major morbidity and mortality. In the modern era, where specific complications are targeted in prevention and treatment pathways, and where the principles of enhanced recovery after surgery are espoused, optimum outcomes are targeted via a number of approaches. These include comprehensive clinical and physiological risk assessment, specialist perioperative care by a high-volume team, and multimodal inputs throughout the patient journey that aim to preserve or restore nutritional deficits, muscle mass and function.

Impact of Perioperative Immunonutrition on Postoperative Outcomes in Patients with Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

There is no consensus on the efficacy of perioperative immunonutrition in patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) cancer surgery. We clarified the impact of perioperative immunonutrition on postoperative outcomes in patients with upper GI cancers. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science Core Selection, and Emcare from 1981-2022 using search terms related to immunonutrition and upper GI cancer. We included randomized controlled trials. Intervention was defined as immunonutritional therapy, including arginine, n-3 omega fatty acids, or glutamine during the perioperative period. The control was defined as standard nutritional therapy. The primary outcomes were infectious complications, defined as events with a Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥ II that occurred within 30 days after surgery. After screening, 23 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and in the quantitative synthesis. The meta-analysis showed that immunonutrition reduced infectious complications (relative risk ratio: 0.72; 95% confidence interval: 0.57-0.92; certainty of evidence: Moderate) compared with standard nutritional therapy. In conclusion, nutritional intervention with perioperative immunonutrition in patients with upper GI cancers significantly reduced infectious complications. The effect of immunonutrition for upper GI cancers in reducing the risk of infectious complications was about 30%.

Mapping the landscape of immunonutrition and cancer research: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis on behalf of NutriOnc Research Group

The ongoing global health challenge of cancer is driving the pursuit of innovative avenues for prevention, treatment, and enhanced outcomes. The convergence of nutrition and immune modulation, known as immunonutrition, is ready to act as a catalyst for transformative change in cancer research and therapy. Our study employs a bibliometric analysis to uncover the evolving trends within immunonutrition and cancer research across the past 25 years. Bibliometric data, including authors, journals, affiliations, and countries, were analyzed using the Bibliometrix R package. Clustering algorithms were applied to keywords to identify thematic areas and their evolution. A total of 489 documents were analyzed, showing an annual growth rate of 8.7%, with a collaboration index of 5.41, highlighting comprehensive multidisciplinary involvement within this landscape. Core authors demonstrated sustained productivity, while occasional authors indicated widespread interest. The Medical University of Warsaw led in institutional contributions. Country-wise, Italy, France, and the USA emerged as forerunners in fostering research productivity. Key journals like 'Clinical Nutrition' served as beacons, emphasizing the multidimensional nature of this topic. The analysis highlighted growing research output and several collaborations, indicating the importance of immunoenriched nutrition in cancer treatment. The interplay of core authors and diversified engagement harmoniously accentuates the cross-disciplinary nature of this burgeoning field. International collaboration facilitated knowledge exchange. Prominent documents shaped the field, emphasizing the significance of nutritional interventions. Thematic clusters revealed varied focuses, including pharmaconutrients, surgical approaches, inflammation, and specific cancers. The expanding research output suggests further development, particularly in exploring immunoenriched nutrition's impact on cancer types and patient populations. The multidisciplinary nature and international collaborations enhance the field's progress. Gaps in research underscore the need for original studies and personalized approaches. This study guides future research, informing evidence-based nutritional interventions and advancing cancer care practices.

The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation on Inflammatory Factors in Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Until now, no study evaluated the impact of optimum intake of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory factors. We aimed to investigate the dose-dependent effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on inflammatory factors in cancer patients. PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science were searched until July 2022 to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for examining the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory factors. Our primary outcomes were interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and albumin. The results of 33 trials (2068 participants) revealed that each 1 g/day omega-3 fatty acids (oral/enteral) significantly reduced IL-6 (SMD: -1.17 pg/ml; 95% CI: -1.78, -0.55; p < 0.001; GRADE = moderate), and TNF-α (SMD: -2.15 pg/ml; 95% CI: -3.14, -1.16; p < 0.001; GRADE = very low). Moreover, each 0.5 g/kg/day omega-3 fatty acids (parenteral) significantly reduced TNF-α (SMD: -1.11 pg/ml; 95% CI: -2.02, -0.19; p = 0.017; GRADE = low). With moderate and very low evidence certainty, each 1 g/day of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation (oral/enteral) has a beneficial effect on IL-6 and TNF-α. Each 0.5 g/kg/day omega-3 fatty acids (parenteral) could also exert a favorable impact on TNF-α, but the certainty of the evidence was low.

The effect of preoperative oral nutritional supplementation on surgical site infections among adult patients undergoing elective surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Mixed findings are reported on the effect of oral nutritional supplements in reducing Surgical Site Infections (SSIs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

PubMED, EMBASE and Cochrane were searched. Studies from inception to July 2022 were included if they involved adults undergoing elective surgery and compared preoperative macronutrient oral nutritional supplements to placebo/standard diet.

RESULTS

Of 372 unique citations, 19 were included (N ​= ​2480): 13 RCTs (N ​= ​1506) and 6 observational studies (N ​= ​974). Moderate-certainty evidence suggested that nutritional supplements SSI risk (OR 0.54, 95% C.I. 0.40-0.72, N ​= ​2718 participants). In elective colorectal surgery, this risk-reduction was 0.43 (95% C.I. 0.26-0.61, N ​= ​835 participants) and among patients who received Impact 0.48 (95% C.I. 0.32-0.70, N ​= ​1338).

CONCLUSION

Oral nutritional supplements prior to adult elective surgery may significantly reduce SSIs, with an overall 50% protective effect. This protective effect persisted in subgroup analysis of colorectal surgery patients and the use of Impact.

The effect of perioperative immunonutrition on patients undergoing esophagectomy: a systematic review and updated meta-analysis

Introduction

Background: immunonutrition has been introduced and proposed to have positive modulating effects on inflammatory and immune responses in surgical patients. This meta-analysis aimed to assess whether perioperative enteral immunonutrition (EIN) can reduce postoperative complications or reduce inflammatory responses in esophageal cancer (EC) patients undergoing esophagectomy. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of EIN before and/or after surgery in EC patients undergoing esophagectomy were identified. Two investigators independently searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. Results: ten RCTs involving 1,052 patients were included in the meta-analysis, including 573 patients in the EIN group and 479 patients in the enteral nutrition (EN) group. Overall, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in the incidence of postoperative pneumonia, surgical site infection, intra-abdominal abscess, septicemia, and urinary tract infection. No significant incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and in-hospital mortality was found. Conclusions: perioperative enteral immunonutrition did not reduce the incidence of infectious complications and anastomotic leakage in EC patients undergoing esophagectomy, nor did it reduce postoperative CRP and IL-6, but did not increase in-hospital mortality.

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Postoperative Inflammatory Response: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Initial evidence indicates that preoperatively initiated administration of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) attenuates the postoperative inflammatory reaction. The effects of immunonutrition containing omega-3 FAs, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on the inflammatory response to abdominal surgery continues to be unclear, although improved outcomes have been reported. Therefore, we determined the effectiveness of preoperatively initiated omega-3 FAs administration on postoperative inflammation defined as CRP (C-Reactive Protein), IL-6 (Interleukin 6), and WBC (White Blood Count) and potential effects on postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) due to an improved inflammatory response.

METHODS

a literature search of Cochrane Library was conducted to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of preoperatively initiated omega-3 to standard care, placebo, or other immunonutrients excluding omega-3 FAs in patients undergoing abdominal surgery until the end of December 2022.

RESULTS

a total of 296 articles were found during the initial search. Thirteen RCTs involving 950 patients were identified that met the search criteria. These were successively analyzed and included in this meta-analysis. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to inflammatory markers IL-6: -0.55 [-1.22; 0.12] p = 0.10, CRP: -0.14 [-0.67; 0.40] p = 0.55, WBC: -0.58 [-3.05; 1.89] p = 0.42, or hospital stay -0.5 [-1.43; 0.41] p = 0.2.

CONCLUSION

although reduced inflammatory markers were observed, preoperative administration of omega-3 FAs immunonutrients had no significant effect on the postoperative inflammatory response in patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. Yet, results obtained from this study are inconclusive, likely attributed to the limited number of trials and patients included. Further studies are required to obtain a better educated verdict.

Systematic review of preoperative n-3 fatty acids in major gastrointestinal surgery

Objectives

Perioperative nutrition aims to replenish nutritional stores before surgery and reduce postoperative complications. 'Immunonutrition' (including omega-3 fatty acids) may modulate the immune system and attenuate the postoperative inflammatory response. Hitherto, immunonutrition has overwhelmingly been administered in the postoperative period-however, this may be too late to provide benefit.

Design

A systematic literature search using MEDLINE and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Setting

Perioperative major gastrointestinal surgery.

Participants

Patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery.

Interventions

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation commenced in the preoperative period, with or without continuation into postoperative period.

Main outcome measures

The effect of preoperative omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory response and clinical outcomes.

Results

833 studies were identified. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 RCTs, involving 1456 randomized patients, were included. Ten articles exclusively enrolled patients with cancer. Seven studies used a combination of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) as the intervention and five studies used EPA alone. Eight out of 12 studies continued preoperative nutritional support into the postoperative period.Of the nine studies reporting mortality, no difference was seen. Duration of hospitalisation ranged from 4.5 to 18 days with intervention and 3.5 to 23.5 days with control. Omega-3 fatty acids had no effect on postoperative C-reactive protein and the effect on cytokines (including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10) was inconsistent. Ten of the 12 studies had low risk of bias, with one study having moderate bias from allocation and blinding.

Conclusions

There is insufficient evidence to support routine preoperative omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for major gastrointestinal surgery, even when this is continued after surgery.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018108333.

Nutrition as prevention for improved cancer health outcomes: a systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

Among adults with cancer, malnutrition is associated with decreased treatment completion, more treatment harms and use of health care, and worse short-term survival. To inform the National Institutes of Health Pathways to Prevention workshop, "Nutrition as Prevention for Improved Cancer Health Outcomes," this systematic review examined the evidence for the effectiveness of providing nutrition interventions before or during cancer therapy to improve outcomes of cancer treatment.

METHODS

We identified randomized controlled trials enrolling at least 50 participants published from 2000 through July 2022. We provide a detailed evidence map for included studies and grouped studies by broad intervention and cancer types. We conducted risk of bias (RoB) and qualitative descriptions of outcomes for intervention and cancer types with a larger volume of literature.

RESULTS

From 9798 unique references, 206 randomized controlled trials from 219 publications met the inclusion criteria. Studies primarily focused on nonvitamin or mineral dietary supplements, nutrition support, and route or timing of inpatient nutrition interventions for gastrointestinal or head and neck cancers. Most studies evaluated changes in body weight or composition, adverse events from cancer treatment, length of hospital stay, or quality of life. Few studies were conducted within the United States. Among intervention and cancer types with a high volume of literature (n = 114), 49% (n = 56) were assessed as high RoB. Higher-quality studies (low or medium RoB) reported mixed results on the effect of nutrition interventions across cancer and treatment-related outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Methodological limitations of nutrition intervention studies surrounding cancer treatment impair translation of findings into clinical practice or guidelines.

Impact of oral nutrition supplementation on outcomes of esophageal cancer patients treated with chemotherapy: A retrospective cohort study with propensity score matching

Objective

There is a lack of evidence regarding the outcomes of oral nutrition supplementation (ONS) in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) who received chemotherapy treatment. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective cohort study by comparing an adequate ONS group with a control group.

Materials and methods

The study was performed in the Oncology Department of West China Hospital of Sichuan University. Patients at nutritional risk were identified from March 2016 to June 2019, and divided into an ONS group and a control group. To control for potential confounding variables, the propensity score method with matching was carried out. The main outcomes were length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization cost. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of pulmonary infection and myelosuppression.

Results

Out of 5,316 hospitalizations, a one-to-one matched sample was created (N = 229). The pathological tumor, node, metastasis (pTNM) stage of patients ranged from II to IV. A total of 69 patients received ONS, and 160 patients did not receive ONS. The incidence of myelosuppression in the ONS group and the control group was 4.3 vs. 17.4% (P = 0.014), respectively. However, ONS was associated with a 2 days increase in LOS, from 7 to 9 days (P < 0.000) and a hospitalization cost increase of $731, from $1134 to $1865 (P = 0.005). No statistical differences were observed in the incidence of pulmonary infection between the two groups. Further subgroup analysis based on body mass index (BMI) showed that at BMI ≤ 18.5 kg/m², the incidence of myelosuppression in the ONS group was lower than that in the control group (3.0 vs. 20.8%, P = 0.022). At BMI > 18.5 kg/m², no statistical differences were observed in the incidence of myelosuppression between the two groups.

Conclusion

Although ONS increases hospitalization cost and LOS, it may be associated with reduced myelosuppression incidence, especially for patients with a BMI ≤ 18.5 kg/m².

Network meta-analysis of the optimal time of applying enteral immunonutrition in esophageal cancer patients receiving esophagectomy

BACKGROUND

Enteral immunonutrition (EIN) has been extensively applied in cancer patients; however, its role in esophageal cancer (EC) patients receiving esophagectomy remains unclear. We performed this network meta-analysis to investigate the impact of EIN on patients undergoing surgery for EC and further determine the optimal time of applying EIN.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, and China National Knowledgement Infrastructure (CNKI) to identify eligible studies. Categorical data was expressed as the odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI), and continuous data was expressed as mean difference (MD) with 95% CI. Meta-analysis with head-to-head approach and network meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of EIN on clinical outcomes using RevMan 5.3 and ADDIS V.1.16.8 software. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was calculated to rank all nutritional regimes.

RESULTS

Total 14 studies involving 1071 patients were included. Meta-analysis with head-to-head approach indicated no difference between EIN regardless of the application time and standard EN (SEN); however, subgroup analyses found that postoperative EIN was associated with decreased incidence of total infectious complications (OR = 0.47; 95%CI = 0.26 to 0.84; p = 0.01) and pneumonia (OR = 0.47; 95%CI = 0.25 to 0.90; p = 0.02) and shortened the length of hospitalization (LOH) (MD =  - 1.01; 95%CI =  - 1.44 to - 0.57; p < 0.001) compared to SEN, which were all supported by network meta-analyses. Ranking probability analysis further indicated that postoperative EIN has the highest probability of being the optimal option in terms of these three outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative EIN should be preferentially utilized in EC patients undergoing esophagectomy because it has optimal potential of decreasing the risk of total infectious complications and pneumonia and shortening LOH.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

10.17605/OSF.IO/KJ9UY.

Effect of Omega-3 on HLA-DR Expression by Conjunctival Cells and Tear Cytokine Concentrations in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management Study

OBJECTIVES

To determine effect of omega-3 supplementation on conjunctival cell HLA-DR expression and tear concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17A, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α in dry eye disease patients in the Dry Eye Assessment and Management study.

METHODS

Patients were randomized to receive a daily dose of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (ω3) or refined olive oil (placebo) for 12 months. At baseline, 6 and 12 months, HLA-DR expression in conjunctival total, epithelial, and white blood cells and cytokine concentration in tears were determined. Differences in change from baseline between treatment groups were assessed using generalized estimating equations (HLA-DR) or Wilcoxon rank-sum test (cytokines).

RESULTS

No differences were observed in HLA-DR expression in total, epithelial, or white blood cells between ω3 and placebo groups at 6 months (n=435) or 12 months (n=436). The median concentration percent change differed between ω3 and placebo groups at 6 months for IL-6 (-36.6 vs. 24.5%, P =0.02, n=75) and for IL-8 (3.7% vs. 72.6%, P =0.02, n=68); at 12 months, they did not differ ( P ≥0.18). No other differences between the treatment groups were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

ω3 supplementation did not consistently affect ocular inflammatory status as measured by the frequency of HLA-DR expressing conjunctival cells or tear cytokines.

Effects of pre-operative enteral immunonutrition for esophageal cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial (point trial, pre-operative immunonutrition therapy)

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by esophagectomy has been established as the first-line treatment for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Postoperative enteral nutrition has been widely used to improve perioperative outcomes. However, whether to implement preoperative nutritional intervention during neoadjuvant therapy is yet to be verified by prospective studies.

METHODS

POINT trial is a multicenter, open-labeled, randomized controlled trial. A total of 244 patients with surgically resectable esophageal cancer are randomly assigned to nutritional therapy group (arm A) or control group (arm B) with a 2:1 ratio. Both groups receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy with concurrent radiotherapy based on the CROSS regimen followed by minimally invasive esophagectomy. The primary endpoint is the rate of nutrition and immune-related complications after surgery. Secondary endpoints include completion rate of neoadjuvant chemoradiation and related adverse events, rate of pathological complete response, perioperative outcomes, nutritional status, overall survival, progression-free survival and quality of life.

DISCUSSION

This trial aims to verify whether immunonutrition during neoadjuvant chemoradiation can reduce the rate of complications and improve perioperative outcomes. Frequent communication and monitoring are essential for a multicenter investigator-initiated trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04513418. The trial was prospectively registered on 14 August 2020, https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov/ct2/show/NCT04513418 .

Effects of preoperative nutrition on postoperative outcomes in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Postoperative enteral nutrition has been widely implemented in esophageal cancer, but the efficacy and safety of preoperative nutrition, particularly immune-enhancing nutrition (IEN), remain controversial. This meta-analysis aims to provide a quantitative synthesis of whether preoperative nutrition improves postoperative morbidity and mortality in patients with resectable esophageal cancer. A systematic search was conducted in Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and databases of clinical trials dated up to December 2019. Randomized controlled trials and observational studies comparing postoperative outcomes between esophageal cancer patients with and without preoperative nutritional support were included. Random-effects model was applied in the meta-analysis of primary outcomes (overall complication rate, in-hospital mortality) and secondary outcomes (infectious complication rate, anastomotic leak rate, length of postoperative hospital stay). Complications of feeding tube access and perioperative weight loss were evaluated by qualitative synthesis. Subgroup analyses were performed by stratifying immunonutrition and standard nutrition before surgery. Subgroup analysis of randomized controlled trials alone was also done. A total of 15 studies enrolling 1864 participants were included. The overall meta-analysis found that preoperative nutrition could reduce infectious complications (odds ratio [OR] = 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.26, 0.98]; I2 = 48%) and length of hospital stay (mean difference = -2.10 day, 95% CI [-3.72, -0.47]; I2 = 78%) after esophagectomy, whereas no significant difference was revealed in the incidence of overall complications (OR = 0.76, 95% CI [0.52, 1.11]; I2 = 32%), in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [0.41, 2.61]; I2 = 12%), and anastomotic leak (OR = 1.05, 95% CI [0.69, 1.58]; I2 = 0%). Subgroup of preoperative immunonutrition showed more prominent benefits. The complication rate of feeding tube access was low (1.6-16%). In conclusion, preoperative nutrition is safe in esophageal cancer, but benefits are observed in infectious complication rate and length of stay on a limited scale. IEN holds more advantages over standard nutrition. Randomized trials in the context of nutritional support during neoadjuvant therapy are in demand.

Understanding Cancer Cachexia and Its Implications in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers

OPINION STATEMENT

Considerable advances in the investigation and management of oesophagogastric cancer have occurred over the last few decades. While the historically dismal prognosis associated with these diseases has improved, outcomes remain very poor. Cancer cachexia is an often neglected, yet critical, factor for this patient group. There is a persuasive argument that a lack of assessment and treatment of cachexia has limited progress in oesophagogastric cancer care. In the curative setting, the stage of the host (based on factors such as body composition, function, and inflammatory status), alongside tumour stage, has the potential to influence treatment efficacy. Phenotypical features of cachexia may decrease the survival benefit of (peri-operative) chemoradiotherapy, immunotherapy, or surgical resection in patients with potentially curative malignancy. Most patients with oesophagogastric cancer unfortunately present with disease which is not amenable, or is unlikely to respond, to these treatments. In the palliative setting, host factors can similarly impair results from systemic anti-cancer therapies, cause adverse symptoms, and reduce quality of life. To optimise treatment pathways and enhance patient outcomes, we must utilise this information during clinical decision-making. As our understanding of the genesis of cancer cachexia improves and more therapeutic options, ranging from basic (e.g. exercise and nutrition) to targeted (e.g. anti-IL1 α and anti-GDF-15), become available, there can be grounds for optimism. Cachexia can change from a hitherto neglected condition to an integral part of the oesophagogastric cancer treatment pathway.

Clinical, randomized, double blind clinical trial to study the effect of parenteral supplementation with fish oil emulsion in the nutritional support in esophagectomized patients

INTRODUCTION

Esophagectomy is a major surgery with a high degree of catabolic and post-surgical inflammatory response accompanied by high morbidity and significant mortality. Post-surgical nutritional support via enteral administration of ω-3 fatty acids has been seen to be effective although its bad tolerance. There are few clinical trials with parenteral ω-3 fatty acids in these patients. We propose to investigate the effect of combining a parenteral fish oil lipid emulsion with the standard enteral nutrition (EN) support.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind study in esophagectomized patients, and treated after surgery with parenteral lipid emulsions of ω-3 fatty acids or a mixture of ω-6 long-chain triglycerides/short-chain triglycerides 50%. These emulsions will be added to the standard nutritional support in continuous infusion until 5 days of treatment have been completed. Patients will be randomized 1:1:1 in Group A receiving 0.4 g/kg/d of fish-oil lipid emulsion and 0.4 g/kg/d of a lipid emulsion mixture of ω-6 long-chain fatty acids (LCT) plus medium-chain fatty acids (MCT) (total dose of 0.8 g/kg/d of lipid emulsion); Group B receiving 0.8 g/kg/d of fish oil lipid emulsion and Group C receiving 0.8 g/kg/d of LCT/MCT emulsion.The main objective is to determine whether 5 days administration of intravenous ω-3 fatty acid lipid emulsion is effective in normalizing interleukin-6 levels compared with LCT/MCT emulsions, and whether a 0.8 g/kg/d dose is more effective than 0.4 g/kg/d. Secondary outcomes include other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-10, and parameters of morbidity, safety, nutrition and mortality.Samples will be collected at the time when surgery is indicated and on days 0, 1, 3, 5 and 21 to determine inflammatory, nutritional, hepatic and safety parameters. In addition, clinical follow-up will be continued throughout the hospital admision and up to 1 year after surgery.

DISCUSSION

Studies of ω-3 fatty acids administered parenterally in esophagectomized patients are scarce. This study proposes to investigate the effect of combining fish-oil lipid emulsions administered parenterally with EN support. Potential benefits include fast incorporation of lipids to the cellular membranes and to the inflammatory cascade, and the use of only 1 pharmaconutrient.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

FAR-NP-2017-01 EudraCT number: 2016-004978-17.https://reec.aemps.es/reec/public/detail.html searching the EudraCT number.

VERSION IDENTIFIER

Version 2, 08/06/2017.

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Can Reduce C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

ABSTRACTSOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) possess anti-inflammatory properties. There is a lack of consensus regarding the effects of omega-3 PUFAs on C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, in cancer patients. Herein, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted to evaluate the effects of omega-3 PUFAs on CRP levels in patients with cancer. PubMed and EMBASE were searched until May 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of omega-3 PUFA administration on CRP levels in cancer patients. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the differences in omega-3 PUFA administration and control conditions. Seventeen eligible studies involving 916 cancer patients were included in this meta-analysis. Significant heterogeneity was present among individual studies (P_{heterogeneity} = 0.000; I² = 74.5%). The overall SMDs of CRP levels between omega-3 PUFA administration and control conditions were 0.628 (95% CI: 0.342-0.914) and 0.456 (95% CI: 0.322-0.590) by the random-effect and fixed-effect models, respectively. Sources of heterogeneity were not found through subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Existing publication bias contributed slightly to the effect size. Omega-3 PUFAs can reduce systemic inflammation, as indicated by CRP levels in cancer patients. The use of omega-3 PUFAs is recommended for cancer patients due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Accurate Prediction of Prognosis After Radical Resection of Gastric Cancer by the Modified Systemic Inflammation Score; a Multicenter Dataset Analysis

BACKGROUND

The presence of chronic inflammation and nutritional status in cancer patients affects its prognosis. There is a clinical need for a prognostic predictor that is objective and accurate, and that can be easily evaluated by preoperative screening. We evaluated the importance and usefulness of the preoperative modified systemic inflammation score (mSIS) to predict the long-term outcome of patients undergoing curative resection for gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

Of the 3571 patients who underwent curative resection for GC in nine institutions between January 2010 and December 2014, 1764 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included. The mSIS was formulated according to the serum albumin level (ALB) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) as follows: mSIS 0 (ALB ≥ 4.0 g/dL and LMR ≥ 3.4), mSIS 1 (ALB < 4.0 g/dL or LMR < 3.4), and mSIS 2 (ALB < 4.0 g/dL and LMR < 3.4).

RESULTS

Patients were categorized into preoperative mSIS 0 (n = 955), mSIS 1 (n = 584), and mSIS 2 (n = 225) groups. The overall survival times and the disease-free survival times of patients in preoperative mSIS 0,1 and 2 sequentially shortened (P < 0.0001), and mSIS 1 and 2 were identified as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio [HR] 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.272, P = 0.0125 and HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.21-2.19, P = 0.0012). A stepwise increase in the prevalence of hematogenous recurrences was directly proportional to the mSIS. A forest plot revealed that mSIS 0,1 was associated with a greater risk of overall survival in most subgroups.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative mSIS can be easily calculated, and it is suggested that it is useful as a prognostic predictor of patients with different disease stages, for stratifying and evaluating clinical outcomes.

Assessment of compliance with oral nutritional supplementation and exploration of barriers and facilitators for patients after gastrectomy: A mixed-methods study

AIMS

To evaluate the compliance of patients after gastrectomy in taking oral nutritional supplementation and to explore the promoting and hindering factors.

DESIGN

A mixed-methods design with an explanatory sequential approach was employed.

METHODS

We conducted a 12-week longitudinal study to evaluate the oral nutritional supplementation compliance of 122 patients after gastric cancer surgery and the factors that affected their compliance. After the quantitative phase, we selected the interview subjects and developed the interview outline based on the analysis of the quantitative results. In-depth interviews (n = 15) were conducted to explain and supplement the quantitative phase results. Data were collected from October 2019 to May 2020.

RESULTS

The average overall compliance rate of oral nutritional supplementation in patients with gastric cancer over 12 weeks was 30.59%. Adverse reactions to oral nutritional supplementation, the identity of the main caregivers and the patient's financial ability were independent factors that affected patient compliance. In subsequent interviews, we extracted four themes: social support plays an important role in patients taking oral nutritional supplementation, adverse reactions discourage patients from continuing to take oral nutritional supplementation, patients' attitudes affect their motivation to take oral nutritional supplementation, and the different needs of patients for oral nutritional supplementation affect patient compliance.

CONCLUSION

Patients' compliance with oral nutritional supplementation after gastric cancer surgery is very low. Health education should pay more attention to the management of adverse reactions and the role of patients' peers and family members. Oral nutritional supplementation products should be diversified to provide patients with more choices.

IMPACT

This study clarifies the factors that hinder and promote oral nutritional supplementation compliance and provides an important reference for the establishment and revision of health education strategies for patients after gastric cancer surgery.

Assessment of adherence to oral nutritional supplementation and exploration of barriers and facilitators in patients after gastric cancer surgery: a mixed methods study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative malnutrition is a major issue in patients with gastric cancer. The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism recommends oral nutritional supplements (ONS) as a first-line nutritional therapy to prevent malnutrition in patients with cancer. However, adherence to ONS is unsatisfactory. The overall aim of this study was to evaluate the adherence of patients with gastric cancer to ONS and to explore the promoting and hindering factors.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In this study, we will use mixed methods with an explanatory sequential approach for data collection and analysis. In the first phase, a 12-week longitudinal study will be performed to identify changes in trends of oral nutritional supplementation adherence in 135 patients with gastric cancer, the impact of adherence on nutritional indicators and clinical outcomes and ONS adherence-related factors. The primary endpoints include patient adherence to ONS, weight, body mass index and grip strength followed by 30-day readmission rate, complications and adverse reactions. In the second stage, qualitative research will be implemented to provide in-depth insight into the quantitative results. Finally, quantitative and qualitative results will be combined for analysis and discussion to put forward suggestions for improving patients' ONS adherence.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This research protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Nursing, Jilin University, China (No. 2019101601). Results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, and sent to participating practices.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiTR2000032425.

Evolution of gastrectomy for cancer over 30-years: Changes in presentation, management, and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer has seen a considerable change in management, and outcomes for the past 30 years. Historically, the overall prognosis has been regarded as poor. However, the use of multimodal treatment, and integration of enhanced recovery pathways have improved short and long-term outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changing trends in presentation, management, and outcomes for patients undergoing surgical treatment for gastric cancers over 30 years.

METHODS

Data from consecutive patients undergoing gastrectomy with curative intent for gastric adenocarcinoma between 1989 and 2018 from a single-center, high-volume unit were reviewed. Presentation method, management strategies and outcomes were reviewed. Patients were grouped into successive 5-year cohorts for comparison and evaluation of changing trends.

RESULTS

Between 1989 and 2018, 1,162 patients underwent gastrectomy with curative intent for cancer. Median age was 71 years (interquartile range, 63-76 years) and 763 (66%) were male. Patient presentation changed with epigastric discomfort now the most common presentation (67%). An improvement in overall complications from 54% to 35% (P = .006) and mortality from 8% to 1% (P < .001) was seen over the time period and overall survival improved from 28 months to 53 months (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Both short-term and long-term outcomes have significantly improved over the 30 years studied. The reasons for this are multifactorial and include the use of perioperative chemotherapy, the introduction of an enhanced recovery pathway, and improved preoperative assessment of patients through a multidisciplinary input.

New perspective toward nutritional support for malnourished cancer patients: Role of lipids

To improve the difficulties related to malnutrition, nutritional support has become an essential part of multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment for cancer. Lipids are essential nutrient source for the human body, and nowadays in clinical practices, it has a positive interventional effect on patients suffering from cancer. However, contribution of lipids in nutritional support of cancer patients is still poorly understood. Moreover, the sensory and physicochemical properties of lipids can severely restrict their applications in lipid-rich formula foods. In this review article, for the first time, we have presented a summary of the existing studies which were related to the associations between different lipids and improved malnutrition in cancer patients and discussed possible mechanisms. Subsequently, we discussed the challenges and effective solutions during processing of lipids into formula foods. Further, by considering existing problems in current lipid nutritional support, we proposed a novel method for the treatment of malnutrition, including developing individualized lipid nutrition for different patients depending on the individual's genotype and enterotype. Nonetheless, this review study provides a new direction for future research on nutritional support and the development of lipid-rich formula foods for cancer patients, and probably will help to improve the efficacy of lipids in the treatment of cancer malnutrition.

Clinical effect of enteral nutrition support during neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the preservation of skeletal muscle mass in patients with esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Reductions in skeletal muscle mass during neoadjuvant therapy can have a negative effect on short- and long-term outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer. However, effective treatment for suppressing reductions in skeletal muscle mass during neoadjuvant therapy has not been established.

METHODS

Eighty-seven patients were included in this study who were enrolled in a previous randomized study comparing the effects of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) on chemotherapy-related toxicities during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in esophageal cancer patients. Changes in skeletal muscle mass during neoadjuvant therapy were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) decreased from 45.8 cm²/m² before treatment to 43.7 cm²/m² after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 87 patients (p = 0.092). The total calorie intake during neoadjuvant therapy was equal between the two groups. SMI reduction was significantly smaller in the EN group than in the PN group (-1.4 cm²/m² vs -3.0 cm²/m (Gebski et al., 2007) [2], p < 0.001). EN support was identified as the only independent factor adversely associated with severe SMI reduction (p < 0.001). Patients with low SMI after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were more susceptible to postoperative complications than patients with moderate SMI (47.6% vs 16.7%, p = 0.007), especially pulmonary complications (31.8% vs 10.8%, p = 0.003). Patients with low SMI after neoadjuvant chemotherapy tended to show worse prognosis than patients with moderate SMI (5-year overall survival rate: 43.8% vs 62.1%, p = 0.194).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with PN support, EN support during neoadjuvant chemotherapy suppressed reductions in skeletal muscle mass in patients with esophageal cancer.

Prehabilitation Programs Improve Exercise Capacity Before and After Surgery in Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgery Patients: A Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Prehabilitation programs or interventions are employed prior to surgery with the aim to optimize the patient before surgery and to improve their physiologic ability to recover from surgery. Components of these programs often include exercise, nutritional supplementation, and psychological interventions. This meta-analysis examines the impact of prehabilitation programs on both surgical and patient outcomes among gastrointestinal (GI) cancer patients undergoing surgery.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify all published randomized control trials (RCT) evaluating the use of prehabilitation programs (with one or more interventions) in GI cancer surgery patients. Outcomes assessed were 6-min walk distance (6MWD), postoperative complications, major complications (as defined as Clavien Dindo grade ≥ 3), surgical site infections (SSI), pneumonia, length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission, and mortality.

RESULTS

Eleven RCTs including 929 patients (475 prehabilitation program and 454 controls) were analyzed. Prehabilitation programs were associated with statistically significant improvements in 6MWD between baseline and immediately prior to surgery (MD = 32.542 m; 95% CI, 10.774-54.310; p = 0.003) and 4-8 weeks after surgery (MD = 48.220 m; 95% CI, 1.532-94.908; p = 0.043) compared with patients who did not receive prehabilitation programs. Similar rates of postoperative complications, major complications, SSI, pneumonia, 30-day readmission, and mortality, as well as LOS, were observed (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Prehabilitation programs improve exercise capacity both before and after surgery, with no significant difference in LOS, or rates of postoperative complications, 30-day readmission, and mortality. Future studies assessing the different components of prehabilitation programs to identify the most beneficial interventions are required.

Targeting the tumor immune microenvironment with "nutraceuticals": From bench to clinical trials

The occurrence of immune effector cells in the tissue microenvironment during neoplastic progression is critical in determining tumor growth outcomes. On the other hand, tumors may also avoid immune system-mediated elimination by recruiting immunosuppressive leukocytes and soluble factors, which coordinate a tumor microenvironment that counteracts the efficiency of the antitumor immune response. Checkpoint inhibitor therapy results have indicated a way forward via activation of the immune system against cancer. Widespread evidence has shown that different compounds in foods, when administered as purified substances, can act as immunomodulators in humans and animals. Although there is no universally accepted definition of nutraceuticals, the term identifies a wide category of natural compounds that may impact health and disease statuses and includes purified substances from natural sources, plant extracts, dietary supplements, vitamins, phytonutrients, and various products with combinations of functional ingredients. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the immunomodulatory effects of nutraceuticals with a special focus on the cancer microenvironment, highlighting the conceptual benefits or drawbacks and subtle cell-specific effects of nutraceuticals for envisioning future therapies employing nutraceuticals as chemoadjuvants.

The Addition of ω-3 Fish Oil Fat Emulsion to Parenteral Nutrition Reduces Short-Term Complications after Laparoscopic Surgery for Gastric Cancer

The incidence of short-term complications after laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer is higher. Whether ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion can reduce short-term complications of gastric cancer after laparoscopic surgery is controversial. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion on postoperative recovery of patients with gastric cancer after laparoscopic surgery. A total of 111 patients were included in this study. These patients were given parenteral nutrition for 5 day or more after surgery. We used univariate analysis and multivariate analysis to determine whether ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion could affect the incidence of short-term complications after gastric cancer laparoscopic surgery. The incidence of postoperative short-term complications in patients with parenteral nutrition supplemented with ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion was significantly lower than that in patients without ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion (12/51 VS 26/60, P = 0.027). ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion is an independent risk factor for short-term postoperative complications in patients with gastric cancer (OR = 0.393, CI:0.155-0.996, P = 0.049). In conclusion, the addition of ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion to parenteral nutrition after operation can effectively reduce the incidence of short-term complications in patients with gastric cancer after laparoscopic surgery.

Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplementation on the Prognostic Nutritional Index in Gastric Cancer Patients

This prospective study was undertaken to investigate whether preoperative oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) would increase the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) in gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy. Before surgery for resectable gastric cancer, Racol® NF (Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Japan) was administered orally at a recommended dose of 600 kcal/600 ml per day to patients with a PNI of <48. The primary endpoint was the change in the PNI, which was calculated as 10 × serum albumin (g/dl) + 0.005 × total lymphocyte count (per mm³). Forty-six patients received Racol^® NF. The mean PNI at baseline and before surgery was 44 ± 3.9 and 43 ± 4.4, respectively (p = 0.049). The mean serum albumin level was significantly decreased after the administration of Racol^® NF (p = 0.001), while the mean total lymphocyte count (p = 0.001) and body weight (p = 0.004) were significantly increased. The mean daily intake and duration of Racol^® NF administration were 340 ml and 22.6 day, respectively. Adverse events during the administration of Racol^® NF were observed in 12 (26.1%) patients. The present study indicated that preoperative ONS did not increase the PNI in gastric cancer patients with low PNI values.

Perioperative immunonutrition in esophageal cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy: the first meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Although several randomized controlled trials have been published in recent years, the effect of perioperative immunonutrition in esophageal cancer (EC) patients remains unclear. This initial meta-analysis was conducted to assess whether perioperative enteral immunonutrition reduces postoperative complications in patients undergoing esophagectomy for EC. Relevant randomized controlled trials published before 1st September 2019 were retrieved from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE databases. After the literature was screened, two researchers extracted the information and data from eligible studies according to predefined selection criteria. Obtained data were pooled and analyzed by RevMan 5.3 software. The results were presented as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The heterogeneity among studies was tested by I2 test. Seven high-quality randomized controlled trials were included, with a total of 606 patients, 311 of whom received immunonutrition before and after surgery, while 295 received perioperative standard nutrition. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in the incidence of postoperative infection complications, including total infection complications (RR = 0.97, CI: 0.78-1.20, P = 0.76), pneumonia (RR = 0.97, CI: 0.71-1.33, P = 0.84), wound infection (RR = 0.80, CI: 0.46-1.40, P = 0.44), sepsis (RR = 1.35, CI: 0.67-2.71, P = 0.40), and urinary tract infection (RR = 0.87, CI: 0.54-1.40, P = 0.56). The prevalence of anastomotic leakage in the two groups was 9.4 and 5.4%, but the difference was not statistically significant (RR = 0.59, CI: 0.33-1.04, P = 0.07). Perioperative enteral immunonutrition provided no benefit in terms of the incidence of infection complications and anastomotic leakage in EC patients undergoing esophagectomy. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this conclusion.

The impact of preoperative sarcopenia on postoperative complications following esophagectomy for esophageal neoplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Esophageal cancer is characterized by profound changes in body composition due to dysphagia and generalized cachexia. Sarcopenia or muscle wasting is a component of cachexia associated with poor postoperative performance status. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) calculated by computed tomography scans at the level of the third lumbar vertebra is an easily quantifiable and reproducible measure of sarcopenia. The aim of this meta-analysis is to investigate the impact of preoperative sarcopenia (low SMI) on postoperative complications after esophagectomy for neoplastic lesions. In this context, a comprehensive literature search was undertaken to identify studies reporting short-term postoperative outcomes in relation to their preoperative SMI values. Cumulative risk ratios (RR) and risk differences (RD) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effect model. A total of 11 studies incorporating 1,979 total patients (964 patients with sarcopeniaversus 1,015 without sarcopenia) were included in the final analysis. The results demonstrated a significant increase in overall morbidity (RR 1.16, 95% CI 1.01-1.33), respiratory complications (RR 1.64, 95% CI 1.21-2.22) and anastomotic leaks (RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.10-1.76) in patients with sarcopenia. No statistically significant difference was noted in overall mortality (RD 0, 95% CI -0.02-0.02) or Clavien-Dindo grade III or greater complications (RR 1.17, 95% CI 0.96-1.42). The above results demonstrate the validity of the SMI as a predictive factor for post-esophagectomy complications. Although the risk associated with sarcopenia is not prohibitive for surgery, patients with low SMI require closer vigilance during their postoperative course due to the increased propensity for respiratory and anastomotic complications.

Effects of specific nutrients on immune modulation in patients with gastrectomy

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent and lethal malignant neoplasms worldwide. The main treatment for GC is gastrectomy, which generally causes considerable metabolic stress to patients. To modulate cell function, maintain homeostasis of the immune response, reduce postoperative complications, and obtain favorable outcomes, physicians prescribe specific nutrients with immunomodulatory properties as supplementation to enteral or parenteral formulas, indicating immunonutrition. In the formulas, among the immunonutrients, glutamine, arginine, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are the most commonly used either alone or in combination. The present review summarizes and focuses on the evidence obtained from clinical trials and animal studies supporting the role of immunonutrients supplemented enterally or parenterally in total or subtotal gastrectomy. In addition, this review describes the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the protective action of these immunonutrients, which may contribute to therapeutic approaches to improve postoperative outcomes of gastrectomy. Combination of conventional therapy with immunonutrition seems to be a useful strategy to achieve synergistic effects in the treatment of GC patients.

Application of Exercised-based Pre-rehabilitation in Perioperative Period of Patients with Gastric Cancer

Objective

To analyze the difference between exercised-based pre-rehabilitation and postoperative rapid rehabilitation of gastric cancer patients.

Methods

The clinical data of 120 patients who underwent surgical treatment between 2016 and 2018 in our hospital with pathologically confirmed gastric cancer were retrospectively reviewed. According to the different treatments during the perioperative period, they were divided into exercised-based pre-rehabilitation group and postoperative rapid rehabilitation group. Factor analysis was used to analyze pre-rehabilitation and postoperative rehabilitation of patients with gastric cancer after stress response, nutritional status, insulin resistance, and inflammatory response in patients with gastric cancer, and to further evaluate the value of pre-recovery accelerated postoperative recovery.

Results

The postoperative stress response, insulin resistance, and inflammatory response in the pre-rehabilitation group were lower than the conventional treatment group. The nutritional status was improved faster than the traditional treatment group. Exercised-based pre-rehabilitation for the rapid recovery of postoperative gastrointestinal function in patients with gastric cancer surgery has significant value.

Conclusion

Exercised-based pre-rehabilitation has great significance for the accelerated rehabilitation of patients with gastric cancer during perioperative period.

Effects of enteral nutritional rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the nutritional status of gastrointestinal cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Postoperative malnutrition is a major issue among gastrointestinal cancer patients. Because n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have immunological benefits, n-3 PUFAs are widely used in oral nutritional supplements (ONS). However, n-3 PUFAs in ONS reduced patients' compliance with ONS and affected the role of ONS in maintaining the postoperative nutritional status of patients. The aim of this study was to systematically explore the benefits of enteral nutrition rich in n-3 PUFAs in maintaining the nutritional status of patients after gastrointestinal surgery. Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched through March 16, 2019. The references of related reviews and studies were assessed up to March 16, 2019. The effect sizes from individual studies were calculated as the standardized mean difference (SMD), mean difference (MD), and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). A total of 11 studies (n = 977) were included. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we observed that enteral supplementation of n-3 PUFAs had no significant effect on weight (MD, 1.09; 95% CI, -0.90, 3.08), body mass index (MD, 0.55; 95% CI, -1.45, 2.54), albumin (SMD, 0.39; 95% CI, -0.10, 0.87), wound infections (RR, 0.87, 95% CI, 0.57, 1.33), or pneumonia (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.60, 1.59) in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Thus, compared with enteral nutritional without n-3 PUFAs, enteral nutritional rich in n-3 PUFAs has no significant effects on nutritional status, incidence of pneumonia, or wound infections among gastrointestinal cancer patients during postoperative convalescence.

Immunonutrition vs Standard Nutrition for Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Part 1)

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of immunonutrition vs standard nutrition in cancer patients treated with surgery. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, MEDLINE, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science were searched. Sixty-one randomized controlled trials were included. Immunonutrition was associated with a significantly reduced risk of postoperative infectious complications (risk ratio [RR] 0.71 [95% CI, 0.64-0.79]), including a reduced risk of wound infection (RR 0.72 [95% CI, 0.60-0.87]), respiratory tract infection (RR 0.70 [95% CI, 0.59-0.84]), and urinary tract infection (RR 0.69 [95% CI, 0.51-0.94]) as well as a decreased risk of anastomotic leakage (RR 0.70 [95% CI, 0.53-0.91]) and a reduced hospital stay (MD -2.12 days [95% CI -2.72 to -1.52]). No differences were found between the 2 groups with regard to sepsis or all-cause mortality. Subgroup analyses revealed that receiving arginine + nucleotides + ω-3 fatty acids and receiving enteral immunonutrition reduced the rates of wound infection and respiratory tract infection. The application of immunonutrition at 25-30 kcal/kg/d for 5-7 days reduced the rate of respiratory tract infection. Perioperative immunonutrition reduced the rate of wound infection. For malnourished patients, immunonutrition shortened the hospitalization time. Therefore, immunonutrition reduces postoperative infection complications and shortens hospital stays but does not reduce all-cause mortality. Patients who are malnourished before surgery who receive arginine + nucleotides + ω-3 fatty acids (25-30 kcal/kg/d) via the gastrointestinal tract during the perioperative period (5-7 days) may show better clinical efficacy.

Associations between Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Patients with Digestive System Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose: Patients with digestive system cancer frequently over-express inflammatory cytokines after surgical operations or chemotherapy. Omega-3 fatty acids are key nutrients with numerous beneficial anti-inflammatory effects in cancer patients. The anti-inflammatory effect of supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in patients with digestive system cancer requires further validation.Methods: The meta-analysis includes studies that compared the variations in inflammatory marker (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and C-reactive protein (IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP)) concentrations between patients with digestive system cancer who were supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids versus controls who were not supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids.Results: Our findings indicated that the variations in the IL-6 and CRP concentrations in patients with digestive system cancer did not differ between the supplementation groups and the controls. Statistically significant differences in the variations in the TNF-α concentrations were observed between the supplementation groups and the controls. However, there were no significant differences in the variations in the TNF-α concentrations according to the subgroup analysis.Conclusions: Omega-3 fatty acids may have an inhibitory effect on postoperative TNF-α elevation in patients with digestive system tumors, but additional supporting data require a large clinical trial.

Effect of Perioperative Nutritional Supplementation on Postoperative Complications-Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Perioperative carbohydrate loading, increased protein intake, and immunonutrition may decrease postoperative complications. Studies on the topic have led to controversial results.

METHODS

We searched Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL up to August 2018 for randomized trials comparing the effect of perioperative nutritional supplements (intervention) versus control on postoperative complications in patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Secondary outcomes included infectious complications and length of hospital stay (LOS). Random effects model was used to estimate the pooled risk ratio (RR) of treatment effects. Pooled mean difference (MD) was used to compare LOS. Heterogeneity was assessed using I². Sources of heterogeneity were explored through subgroup analysis by nutritional supplementation protocol, type of surgery, and type of nutritional supplement. Risk of bias and quality of the evidence were assessed.

RESULTS

Of 3951 articles, we identified 56 trials (n = 6370). Perioperative nutrition was associated with a lower risk of postoperative complications (RR 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.80); postoperative infections (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.64-0.79, n = 4582); and postoperative non-infectious complications (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.71-0.87, n = 4883). There were no significant heterogeneity outcomes analyzed (I² = 14%, 1%, and 7%, respectively). LOS was shorter for the intervention group, MD - 1.58 days; 95% CI - 1.83 to - 1.32; I² = 89%). Subgroup analysis did not identify sources of heterogeneity. The quality of evidence for postoperative complications was high and for LOS was moderate.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative nutritional optimization decreases the risk of postoperative infectious and non-infectious complications. It also decreases LOS in patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery, but these findings should be taken with caution given the high heterogeneity.

Medical Nutrition Terminology and Regulations in the United States and Europe-A Scoping Review: Report of the ISPOR Nutrition Economics Special Interest Group

BACKGROUND

The term medical nutrition (MN) refers to nutritional products used under medical supervision to manage disease- or condition-related dietary needs. Standardized MN definitions, aligned with regulatory definitions, are needed to facilitate outcomes research and economic evaluation of interventions with MN.

OBJECTIVES

Ascertain how MN terms are defined, relevant regulations are applied, and to what extent MN is valued.

METHODS

ISPOR's Nutrition Economics Special Interest Group conducted a scoping review of scientific literature on European and US MN terminology and regulations, published between January 2000 and August 2015, and pertinent professional and regulatory Web sites. Data were extracted, reviewed, and reconciled using two-person teams in a two-step process. The literature search was updated before manuscript completion.

RESULTS

Of the initial 1687 literature abstracts and 222 Web sites identified, 459 records were included in the analysis, of which 308 used MN terms and 100 provided definitions. More than 13 primary disease groups as per International Classification of Disease, Revision 10 categories were included. The most frequently mentioned and defined terms were enteral nutrition and malnutrition. Less than 5% of the records referenced any MN regulation. The health economic impact of MN was rarely and insufficiently (n = 19 [4.1%]) assessed, although an increase in economic analyses was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

MN terminology is not consistently defined, relevant European and US regulations are rarely cited, and economic evaluations are infrequently conducted. We recommend adopting consensus MN terms and definitions, for example, the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism consensus guideline 2017, as a foundation for developing reliable and standardized medical nutrition economic methodologies.

Significance of Preoperative Systemic Inflammation Score in Short-Term and Long-Term Outcomes of Patients with Pathological T2-4 Gastric Cancer After Radical Gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment for patients with gastric cancer (GC). Development of a simple, high-performance, integrated scoring system is needed to provide appropriate management. This study aimed to evaluate predictive values of the systemic inflammation score (SIS) for short- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for GC.

METHODS

A total of 187 patients who underwent gastrectomy for pT2-4 GC without preoperative treatment were analyzed. SIS was formulated based on serum albumin level and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio, and graded into SIS 0, 1, and 2.

RESULTS

Preoperative SIS was significantly associated with incidence of postoperative complications, showing a stepwise increased incidence in proportion to SIS in the entire cohort and all subgroups according to operative procedure and disease stage. Overall and disease-free survival times of patients in SIS 0, 1, and 2 shortened in a stepwise fashion. SIS was linked to prevalence of hematogenous metastasis as initial recurrence site. Survival differences between patients with SIS 2 and the others were particularly large in patients who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. The continuation rate of adjuvant S-1 was lower in the SIS 2 group.

CONCLUSION

SIS represents a simple predictor for incidence of postoperative complications and survival in patients with pT2-4 GC.

Effect of perioperative oral nutritional supplementation in malnourished patients who undergo gastrectomy: A prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a perioperative oral nutritional supplement in malnourished patients who undergo gastrectomy.

METHODS

Patients who were determined as being moderately or severely malnourished according to a patient-generated subjective global assessment or who had a body mass index <18.5, were enrolled. The oral nutritional supplement group received 500 mL/d of standard oral nutritional supplement for 2 weeks before gastrectomy and for 4 weeks postoperatively. The primary endpoint was postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥II). The secondary endpoints included body weight changes, biochemical parameters, and quality of life survey results.

RESULTS

A total of 127 patients (65 in the oral nutritional supplement group and 62 in the control group) were enrolled. The complication rates were not significantly different (29.2% versus 37.1%, P = .346). However, the incidences of overall complications, complications persisting until postoperative week 3 or 5, and severe complications (grade ≥IIIa) were significantly lower in the oral nutritional supplement group for patients with patient-generated subjective global assessment grade C. Total lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in the oral nutritional supplement group at postoperative weeks 3 and 5. For most patients, oral nutritional supplement was well tolerated preoperatively. However, only 26.2% and 50.8% of the patients in the oral nutritional supplement group could consume >250 mL/d of oral nutritional supplement postoperatively during the 2nd and 4th weeks, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The routine application of perioperative oral nutritional supplement is not recommended for malnourished patients receiving gastrectomy. However, perioperative standard oral nutritional supplement administration may reduce the incidence, severity, and duration of complications after gastrectomy in severely malnourished patients (patient-generated subjective global assessment grade C).

Multicentre factorial randomized clinical trial of perioperative immunonutrition versus standard nutrition for patients undergoing surgical resection of oesophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Preoperative immunonutrition has been proposed to reduce the duration of hospital stay and infective complications following major elective surgery in patients with gastrointestinal malignancy. A multicentre 2 × 2 factorial RCT was conducted to determine the impact of preoperative and postoperative immunonutrition versus standard nutrition in patients with oesophageal cancer.

METHODS

Patients were randomized before oesophagectomy to immunonutrition (IMPACT^® ) versus standard isocaloric/isonitrogenous nutrition, then further randomized after operation to immunonutrition versus standard nutrition. Clinical and quality-of-life outcomes were assessed at 14 and 42 days after operation on an intention-to-treat basis. The primary outcome was the occurrence of infective complications. Secondary outcomes were other complications, duration of hospital stay, mortality, nutritional and quality-of-life outcomes (EuroQol EQ-5D-3 L™, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-OES18). Patients and investigators were blinded until the completion of data analysis.

RESULTS

Some 278 patients from 11 Australian sites were randomized; two were excluded and data from 276 were analysed. The incidence of infective complications was similar for all groups (37 per cent in perioperative standard nutrition group, 51 per cent in perioperative immunonutrition group, 34 per cent in preoperative immunonutrition group and 40 per cent in postoperative immunonutrition group; P = 0·187). There were no significant differences in any other clinical or quality-of-life outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Use of immunonutrition before and/or after surgery provided no benefit over standard nutrition in patients undergoing oesophagectomy. Registration number: ACTRN12611000178943 ( https://www.anzctr.org.au).