Echium oil is not protective against weight loss in head and neck cancer patients undergoing curative radio(chemo)therapy: A randomised-controlled trial

Lies Pottel, Michelle Lycke, Tom Boterberg, Hans Pottel, Laurence Goethals, Fréderic Duprez, Alex Maes, Stefan Goemaere, Sylvie Rottey, Imogen Foubert, Philip R. Debruyne*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Therapy-induced mucositis and dysphagia puts head and neck (H&N) cancer patients at increased risk for developing cachexia. Omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FA) have been suggested to protect against cachexia. We aimed to examine if echium oil, a plant source of n-3 FA, could reduce weight loss in H&N cancer patients undergoing radio(chemo)therapy with curative intent. Methods: In a double-blind trial, patients were randomly assigned to echium oil (intervention (I) group; 7.5 ml bis in die (b.i.d.), 235 mg/ml α-linolenic acid (ALA) + 95 mg/ml stearidonic acid (SDA) + 79 mg/ml γ-linolenic acid (GLA)) or n-3 FA deficient sunflower oil high oleic (control (C) group; 7.5 ml b.i.d.) additional to standard nutritional support during treatment. Differences in percentage weight loss between both groups were analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Erythrocyte FA profile, body composition, nutritional status and quality of life were collected. Results: Ninety-one eligible patients were randomised, of whom 83 were evaluable. Dietary supplement adherence was comparable in both groups (median, I: 87%, C: 81%). At week 4, the I group showed significantly increased values of erythrocyte n-3 eicosapentanoic acid (EPA, 14% vs −5%) and n-6 GLA (42% vs −20%) compared to the C group, without a significant change in n-6 arachidonic acid (AA, 2% vs −1%). Intention-to-treat analysis could not reveal a significant reduction in weight loss related to echium oil consumption (median weight loss, I: 8.9%, C: 7.6%). Also, no significant improvement was observed in the other evaluated anthropometric parameters. Conclusions: Echium oil effectively increased erythrocyte EPA and GLA FAs in H&N cancer patients. It failed however to protect against weight loss, or improve nutritional parameters.

Original languageEnglish
Article number382
JournalBMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Keywords

  • Cachexia
  • Curative intent
  • Echium oil
  • Head and neck cancer
  • Radio(chemo)therapy
  • Weight loss

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