Advanced Cancer, Cachexia; Cancer, Quality of Life
Conditions
Keywords
cancer, advanced cancer, incurable cancer, body composition, physical function, symptoms, cachexia, quality of life, systemic inflammatory response, palliative medicine
Brief summary
People with incurable cancer often have complex individual needs, however there are several common themes encountered when considering this group. As cancer progresses there are series of interactions between the tumour and the patient, producing both local and systemic effects. This altered state of illness can have multiple ill effects including weight loss, fatigue, increased symptom burden and reduction in physical function which all contribute to a reduced quality of life. These areas are often studied in isolation, giving an incomplete picture. A detailed, holistic characterisation of this group of people does not exist. A robust characterisation of people with incurable cancer will allow identification and prioritisation of future research and has the potential to inform new therapeutics and provide justification for treatments. This study aims to collect information about symptoms and quality of life, weight loss and body composition, physical activity and the body's immune response to cancer. Participants with incurable cancer will be recruited to the study from oncology and palliative medicine services in the UK. Participants will answer questionnaires about quality of life and symptoms, have bloods taken for inflammatory marker and cytokine analysis and have their body composition measured by a variety of methods.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
University of Edinburgh
NHS Lothian
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patients with incurable cancer (metastatic cancer (Clinical, histological, cytological or radiological evidence) or receiving anti-cancer therapy with palliative intent). * Aged 18-years and over * Written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Any concomitant medical or psychiatric problems which, in the opinion of the investigator, would increase the risk of complication for the participant and/or investigator. * Participants will not be able to take part in bio-impedance analysis if they have a pacemaker or implantable cardiac defibrillator.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Association between inflammatory cytokines and clinical parameters in incurable cancer | 2 years | Correlation of serum levels of inflammatory cytokines with clinical parameters including skeletal muscle mass, symptom based scores and physical activity as measured by actigraphy. |
Countries
United Kingdom
Contacts
CONTACTBarry JA Laird, MBCHB MD
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORBarry JA Laird, MBCHB MD
St Columba's Hospice/ University of Edinburgh
Outcome results
None listed