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Amano K, Hopkinson JB, Baracos VE, Mori N. Holistic multimodal care for patients with cancer cachexia and their family caregivers. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2023; 10:100290. [PMID: 38197043 PMCID: PMC10772164 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients with cancer cachexia frequently suffer from physical symptoms and psychological symptoms of illness, which can lead to emotional distress in patients and family caregivers. Although there is no standard care to manage cancer cachexia despite its high prevalence and negative impact on quality of life in patients and family caregivers, there is accumulating evidence showing the importance of holistic multimodal care for cancer cachexia. However, there is no agreement on the essential components of holistic multimodal care. Therefore, the aims of this review are to give an overview of what is known about the holistic multimodal care and to suggest the composition of a multidisciplinary team to achieve holistic interventions. Holistic multimodal care for cancer cachexia is defined as an approach that addresses physical health through medical, pharmacological, nutritional, and rehabilitative interventions as well as psychological, emotional, and social well-being issues according to the needs of patients and family caregivers. Moreover, an ideal multidisciplinary team is proposed to achieve holistic interventions based on patient- and family-centered care. However, the development of educational programs on cancer cachexia for both clinicians and patients and family caregivers is needed. Furthermore, measurements to assess the benefits of holistic multimodal care also need to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Amano
- Palliative and Supportive Care Center, Osaka University Hospital, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Psycho-Oncology and Palliative Medicine, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Palliative Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jane B. Hopkinson
- School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Wales, UK
| | - Vickie E. Baracos
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Cross Cancer Institute, Alberta, Canada
| | - Naoharu Mori
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan
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Fujii H, Yamada Y, Iihara H, Suzuki A. The role of pharmacists in multimodal cancer cachexia care. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2023; 10:100280. [PMID: 38197038 PMCID: PMC10772181 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjon.2023.100280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer cachexia is a complex syndrome, and multidisciplinary management has the potential to improve patient outcomes and efficiency of care. Multidisciplinary management consists primarily of exercise, nutrition, and pharmacotherapy. The pharmacist's role in cancer cachexia is to contribute to appropriate pharmacotherapy practices. For example, anamorelin is an oral drug with ghrelin-like effects that may improve the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia by stimulating appetite and increasing food intake and body weight. Many patients with cancer cachexia are under treatment with anticancer agents, and pharmacists need to determine whether symptoms such as anorexia and nausea are due to cancer cachexia or anticancer agents. Based on that determination, they are then expected to suggest supportive care to the physician. Provision of multidisciplinary care for cancer cachexia requires communication with not only physicians but also with nurses, dietitians, and other professionals so that nutritional therapy can be provided at the time cachexia is detected. However, the role of pharmacists in the management of cancer cachexia is not well established, and there is no evidence that pharmacist interventions are of benefit to patients. In this article, to contribute to the treatment of cancer cachexia by multidisciplinary care, we describe the role of pharmacists in cancer cachexia as currently practiced at our hospital. We also consider future challenges to this type of multidisciplinary care. Evidence concerning multidisciplinary treatment of cancer cachexia is scarce, including therapeutic agents, and there is a current lack of collaboration among medical professionals and education in cancer cachexia. Solving these problems will require efforts in the practice and evaluation of treatment for cancer cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironori Fujii
- Department of Pharmacy, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yunami Yamada
- Department of Pharmacy, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, Japan
| | | | - Akio Suzuki
- Department of Pharmacy, Gifu University Hospital, Gifu, Japan
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Takahashi S, Matsumoto K, Ohba K, Nakano Y, Miyazawa Y, Kawaguchi T. The Incidence and Management of Cancer-Related Anorexia During Treatment with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. Cancer Manag Res 2023; 15:1033-1046. [PMID: 37771675 PMCID: PMC10522463 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s417238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-related anorexia is a common complication and frequently occurs in cancer patients treated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs). Anorexia contributes to malnutrition, body weight loss, and cachexia in affected patients. Furthermore, patients who experience anorexia have worse outcomes than those who maintain their appetite, highlighting the importance of managing anorexia and related symptoms. However, as the causes of anorexia are both diverse and interconnected, there have been challenges in evaluating and implementing effective interventions. In this review, we described the contributing factors to cancer-related anorexia and reviewed recent literature for the frequency of anorexia symptoms in patients treated with VEGFR-TKIs. Additionally, we evaluated the evidence for current interventions and the potential benefits of multimodal and multidisciplinary approaches to care. The frequency of anorexia symptoms in patients who received VEGFR-TKIs ranged from 14%-58% for all-grade anorexia and 0%-6% for grade 3 or 4 anorexia. While many of the interventions for cancer-related anorexia have minimal benefit or adverse events, recent advances in our understanding of cancer-related anorexia suggest that multimodal therapy with multidisciplinary care is a promising avenue of investigation. Several studies currently underway are anticipated to further assess the effectiveness of multimodal approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunji Takahashi
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Matsumoto
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hyogo Cancer Center, Akashi, Japan
| | - Kojiro Ohba
- The Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Nakano
- Department of Pharmacy, The Cancer Institute Hospital of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Miyazawa
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takumi Kawaguchi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, Japan
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Amano K, Koshimoto S, Hopkinson JB, Baracos VE, Mori N, Morita T, Oyamada S, Ishiki H, Satomi E, Takeuchi T. Perspectives of Health Care Professionals on Multimodal Interventions for Cancer Cachexia. Palliat Med Rep 2022; 3:244-254. [PMID: 36636614 PMCID: PMC9811833 DOI: 10.1089/pmr.2022.0045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Holistic multimodal interventions have not been established for cancer cachexia. The beliefs and perceptions of health care professionals (HCPs) based on their experiences influence the interventions. Objectives HCPs' knowledge, perceptions, and practices in cancer cachexia management were evaluated. Design/Setting/Subjects/Measurements A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted that focused on the perspectives of HCPs on interventions in 451 designated cancer hospitals across Japan. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results Among 2255 participants, 1320 responded (58.5%), and 1188 in 258 institutes were included in the analysis. The current international definition of cancer cachexia is not commonly known and recent clinical practice guidelines have not been widely adopted. More than 50% of participants considered ≥5% weight loss in six months and ECOG PS (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status) 2-4 to be cancer cachexia, whereas 50% answered that there was no relationship between life expectancy and cancer cachexia. Participants tended to consider it important to initiate nutritional and exercise interventions before cancer cachexia becomes apparent. The majority of participants recognized the importance of holistic multimodal interventions, particularly for the management of physical and psychological symptoms; however, only 20% reported that they educated patients and families. Furthermore, 33% of participants considered themselves to have provided patients and families with sufficient nutritional and exercise interventions and evidence-based information. Conclusion The results reveal that HCPs are not regularly providing education and emotional support to patients and families suffering from cancer cachexia. The results also show the need for education for HCPs to enhance implementation of holistic multimodal interventions for cancer cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Amano
- Department of Palliative Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Palliative and Supportive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan.,Address correspondence to: Koji Amano, MD, Department of Palliative Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
| | - Saori Koshimoto
- School of Health Care Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Human Nutrition. Tokyo Kasei Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jane B. Hopkinson
- School of Healthcare Sciences, College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Vickie E. Baracos
- Division of Palliative Care Medicine, Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Naoharu Mori
- Department of Palliative and Supportive Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Morita
- Palliative and Supportive Care Division, Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital, Hamamatsu City, Japan
| | | | - Hiroto Ishiki
- Department of Palliative Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eriko Satomi
- Department of Palliative Medicine, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Takeuchi
- Liaison Psychiatry and Psycho-oncology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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