EFFECTIVENESS OF IMMUNONUTRITION ON INFLAMMATORY MARKERS IN PATIENTS WITH CANCER; RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.

BACKGROUND: malnutrition is a common complication in patients with cancer and is associated with immunosuppression and alterations with inflammatory response.

OBJECTIVE: the aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of enteral nutrition supplemented with two enteral formulas on inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6 and FNTα) in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

DESIGN AND METHODS: randomized control trial, conducted at the Hospital Juarez of Mexico in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy with IRN < 97.5 and SGA B/C. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups: group I (immunomodulatory), group II (high ω3). The intervention began on the first day of chemotherapy until day 10 after. We evaluated nutritional status and an inflammatory marker on days 0, +5, +10 QT. Statistical analysis was performed with T Student, x2 and analysis of variance for repeated measurements. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: a total of 29 patients were analyzed, 27 (62.8%) females and 16 (37.2%) males. Mean age 43.91 + 11.3 years old. Malnutrition prevalence was 48.8% moderate and 51.2% severe. Prealbumin levels significantly increase in group II vs group I (p < 0.05). Both groups maintenance body weight, lean mass and fat mass. No decrease levels of CRP, IL-6 and FNTα.

CONCLUSIONS: enteral supplementation during chemotherapy inhibits nutritional deterioration and maintenance body weight and lean mass. No decreased levels of inflammatory markers.