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Multimodal Intervention for Cachexia in Advanced Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

A Randomised, Open-label Trial of a Multimodal Intervention (Exercise, Nutrition and Antiinflammatory Medication) Plus Standard Care Versus Standard Care Alone to Prevent/Attenuate Cachexia in Advanced Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02330926
Acronym
MENAC
Enrollment
221
Registered
2015-01-05
Start date
2015-04-30
Completion date
2023-04-30
Last updated
2025-08-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cachexia, Neoplasms

Keywords

Combined modality treatment, Diet therapy, Exercise therapy, Ibuprofen, Dietary supplements

Brief summary

Cancer cachexia is a multi-factorial syndrome defined by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass (with or without loss of fat mass) that cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support and leads to progressive functional impairment. There is an urgency for improving management, but there is no consensus on the optimal treatment for cancer cachexia. Several single therapies for cancer cachexia have been examined in clinical trials, with disappointing overall results. As multiple factors are responsible for the development of cachexia, it has been argued that optimal cachexia interventions should target all components: multimodal therapy for a multimodal problem. The overall aim of this study is to early prevent the development of cachexia rather than treatment late in the disease trajectory. From a patient perspective a short term effect will be to improve physical and psychological function, to reduce symptom burden and to improve survival. In other words live a longer and better life during and after chemotherapy. Direct effects of the cachexia intervention are expected to be reduction of weight and muscle loss, and improved physical activity and quality of life.

Interventions

OTHERstandard care

Routine oncology and palliative care

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTnutritional supplements and advice

n-3 PUFA enriched supplements, dietary advice

BEHAVIORALhome-based self-assisted exercise program

Strength and aerobic

DRUGIbuprofen

400mgx3

Sponsors

St. Olavs Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Oslo University Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Cantonal Hospital of St. Gallen
CollaboratorOTHER
Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre
CollaboratorOTHER
Jewish General Hospital
CollaboratorOTHER
Cross Cancer Institute
CollaboratorOTHER
The Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline
CollaboratorOTHER
Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Malteser Krankenhaus Seliger Gerhardt
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Tumor Biology Center Freiburg
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Tumor Zentrum Aarau
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust
CollaboratorOTHER
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
CollaboratorOTHER
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
CollaboratorOTHER
NHS Forth Valley
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of lung cancer, pancreatic cancer or cholangiocarcinoma where the diagnosis is based on histological, radiological or multidisciplinary team (MDT) evaluation * non-small cell lung cancer (stage III or IV), pancreatic adenocarcinoma (stage III or IV), due to commence first or second line anticancer treatment (defined as chemotherapy, chemo-radiotherapy, targeted therapy or immunotherapy) * staging CT within 4 weeks of commencement of anti-cancer therapy (in patients where staging CT is out-with this period, further CT scanning will be undertaken. PETCT's are also appropriate) * completed all other baseline assessments within one week prior to first course of anti-cancer treatment * written informed consent * able to comply with trial interventions (in the opinion of referring clinician) e.g. willing and able to do light exercise and take oral nutritional supplements as well as no major contraindications against ibuprofen. * Karnofsky Performance Status \>70

Exclusion criteria

* Neuro-endocrine pancreatic cancer * Creatinine clearance \<30ml/min * Receiving parenteral nutrition or enteral nutrition via feeding tube * receiving neo-adjuvant anti-cancer therapy * BMI \>30 kg/m2 * Use of appetite stimulants or anabolic/anti-catabolic agents (such as megestrol acetate, progestational agents, marijuana growth hormone, dronabinol, or other anabolic agent) within 30 days prior to study baseline * Concomitant steroid (\>10mg/d prednisolone or equivalent) treatment for less than three months prior to inclusion (inhaled, optical or pulsed oral steroids (up to 10 days use) are permitted) * Concomitant long term (\>1 week) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) or aspirin treatment * pregnancy, breast-feeding or of child bearing potential (that is not postmenopausal or permanently sterilised) age and not using adequate contraception (oral, injected, implanted or hormonal methods of contraception, intrauterine device and barrier method) * Concomitant anti-coagulant treatment (e.g. warfarin or heparin)

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
change in body weight6 weeksbody weight (Kg)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
change in muscle mass6 weeksCT L3 cross sectional area
change in physical activity6 weeksActivPAL step count

Countries

Canada, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 9, 2026