Enteral Nutrition with a cancer-specific formula ­(Supportan®)

improves body composition, nutritional status and quality of life

in patients with Head & Neck (HN) and Oesophageal (OES) Cancer
undergoing chemoradiotherapy (CRT) 04

MAIN Significantly reduced loss of Body Cell Mass (BCM) after follow up
RESULTS in HN cancer p­ atients (-0.75 ± 0.64 kg vs -2.82 ± 0.73 kg;p=0.047) receiving
Supportan ®

Follow-up

n = 25 n=22
Supportan® Control
0.0 baseline
BCM adjusted for centre [kg]

-1.0

-2.0

Changes of body cell mass

from baseline adjusted for
-3.0 center (mean ± standard error)
in Head & Neck (HN) cancer
patients during the follow-up
p = 0.0407 period. Error bars indicate the
-4.0 standard error.

• Clinically relevant smaller loss of BCM after follow up in the total group of
patients (HN&OES) (-0.82 ± 0.64 kg vs -2.82 ± 0.77 kg;p=0.055) receiving
Supportan®

• Significant improvement of the nutritional parameters Kondrup Score (NRS 2002,

p = 0.0156) and Subjective global assessment (SGA, p = 0.0065) after follow up in
HN & OES cancer patients receiving Supportan®

Overall SGA rating Supportan® group Control group P-value

improvement 10 (28.6 %) 1 (3.3 %) .0065
no change 25 (71.4 %) 26 (86.7 %)
deterioration 0 (0 %) 3 (10.0 %)

Authors Cancer-specific enteral nutrition, high in fat, protein and EPA* & DHA**
Art.-Nr. 00000 (11/13 AC)

conclusion (Supportan®) may be advantageous in patients with HN and OES cancer

undergoing CRT by preventing loss of BCM and improving parameters of
nutritional and functional status.
Aim of the To investigate the influence of a cancer adapted enteral nutrition formula, (enriched with EPA* and
study DHA**, high in protein, high fat, low CHO) on body composition, nutritional and functional status in
HN and OES cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy.

Study design • Randomised, prospective, double-blind, controlled, multicentre study

• 111 patients with HN (n = 102) or OES Cancer (n = 9) undergoing chemoradiotherapy,
inoperable with life expectancy > 6 months

Intervention • Study group: 500 ml Supportan®

• Control: 500 ml Fresubin® energy fibre
Booth groups received additional > 500 ml Fresubin® energy fibre to meet the energy needs
• Application: continuous application via PEG▶ for max 14 weeks

positioning PEG chemoradiotherapy follow-up

weeks -2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

baseline visit end of follow-up

start of nutrition therapy radiotherapy visit visit

CRT set

follow up set
Examination schedule including ▶PEG-percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, baseline visit/baseline assessment (start of
chemoradiotherapy and nutrition therapy), end of radiotherapy (planed cumulative radiation dose is reached), and follow-
up visit/closing examination (approximately 6 – 7 weeks after chemoradiotherapy).

Additional • Fuctional status: Significant improvement of Quality of life, as shown by an improvement of

Results the Karnofsky performance index after CRT in patients receiving Supportan® (p = 0.039)
• Adverse Events (AEs): the incidence of AEs suspected to be related to the nutrition therapy
was lower in the group of patients receiving ­Supportan® ((6/55 (10.9 %) vs. 14/56 (25 %))
• Both enteral nutrition regimens were safe and well tolerated.

1. Fietkau R. et al: A disease-specific enteral nutrition formula improves nutritional status and functional performance in patients with
REFERENCES
head and neck and esophageal cancer undergoing chemoradiotherapy: results of a randomized, controlled, muticenter trial. Cancer. 2013
Sep;119(18):3343-53.
2. Lubgan D et al. ESPEN 2013 Poster PP093-SUN. Abstract Clin.Nutr. 2013, Vol 23 (Suppl1), page 57
3. Fietkau et al. European Cancer Congress 2013. Abstract European Journal of Cancer 2013, Vo 49 (Suppl2), S744.
* EPA = Eicosapentaenoic acid

Nourishing for a
** DHA = Docosahexaenoic acid

better quality of life

Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH Phone: +49 (0) 61 72 686-0

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Germany