prof.dr.ir.

E (Ellen) KampmanProfessor in Nutrition and Disease

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Organisation Department of Agrotechnology and Food Sciences

Subdivision Human Nutrition

Taste and smell perception and quality of life during and after systemic therapy for breast cancer

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to assess self-reported taste and smell perception after chemotherapy in breast
cancer patients compared with women without cancer, and to assess whether taste and smell perception is associated with
quality of life after the end of chemotherapy. Methods We included 135 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients who
completed chemotherapy and 114 women without cancer. Questionnaires on taste, smell, and quality of life were
completed shortly after and 6 months after chemotherapy (patients) or at two moments with 6 months’ time window in
between (comparisons). ResultsSelf-reported taste and smell perception were significantly lower in patients shortly after
chemotherapy compared to the comparison group. Most patients recovered 6 months after chemotherapy, although
patients who were still receiving trastuzumab then reported a lower taste and smell perception compared to patients who
were not. A lower self-reported taste and smell were statistically significantly associated with a worse quality of life, social,
emotional, and role functioning shortly after chemotherapy. Six months after chemotherapy, taste and smell were
statistically significantly associated with quality of life, social and role functioning, but only in patients receiving
trastuzumab. Conclusions Most taste and smell alterations recovered within 6 months after the end of chemotherapy for
breast cancer, but not for patients receiving trastuzumab. These results highlight the importance of monitoring taste and
smell alterations during and after treatment with chemotherapy and trastuzumab, as they may impact quality of life.

Dietary Intake of Magnesium or Calcium and Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Colorectal Cancer
Patients

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and severe side-effect in colorectal cancer (CRC)
patients. This study assessed the association between habitual dietary intake of magnesium or calcium and prevalence and
severity of chronic CIPN in CRC patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. For this prospective cohort study, 196 CRC
patients were considered. Magnesium and calcium intake was determined using a food frequency questionnaire at
diagnosis, during and after chemotherapy. Chronic CIPN was assessed 12 months after diagnosis using the quality of life
questionnaire CIPN20. Prevalence ratios were calculated to assess the association between magnesium or calcium intake
and the prevalence of CIPN. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between magnesium
or calcium intake and severity of CIPN. CIPN was reported by 160 (82%) patients. Magnesium intake during chemotherapy
was statistically significantly associated with lower prevalence of CIPN (prevalence ratio (PR) 0.53, 95% confidence interval
(CI) 0.32, 0.92). Furthermore, higher dietary intake of magnesium during (β -1.08, 95% CI -1.95, -0.22) and after
chemotherapy (β -0.93, 95% CI -1.81, -0.06) was associated with less severe CIPN. No associations were found for calcium
intake and the prevalence and severity of CIPN. To conclude, we observed an association between higher dietary
magnesium intake and lower prevalence and severity of CIPN in CRC patients.

Lifelong calorie restriction affects indicators of colonic health in aging C57Bl/6J mice

Diminished colonic health is associated with various age-related pathologies. Calorie restriction (CR) is an effective strategy
to increase healthy lifespan, although underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Here, we report the effects of
lifelong CR on indicators of colonic health in aging C57Bl/6J mice. Compared to an ad libitum control and moderate-fat diet,
30% energy reduction was associated with attenuated immune- and inflammation-related gene expression in the colon.
Furthermore, expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism was higher upon CR, which may point towards efficient
regulation of energy metabolism. The relative abundance of bacteria considered beneficial to colonic health, such as
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, increased in the mice exposed to CR for 28 months as compared to the other diet
groups. We found lower plasma levels of interleukin-6 and lower levels of various metabolites, among which are bile acids,
in the colonic luminal content of CR-exposed mice as compared to the other diet groups. Switching from CR to an ad libitum
moderate-fat diet at old age (24 months) revealed remarkable phenotypic plasticity in terms of gene expression, microbiota
composition and metabolite levels, although expression of a subset of genes remained CR-associated. This study
demonstrated in a comprehensive way that CR affects indicators of colonic health in aging mice. Our findings provide
unique leads for further studies that need to address optimal and feasible strategies for prolonged energy deprivation,
which may contribute to healthy aging.