LB002 - INTERVENTION WITH PEA PROTEIN ORAL NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT REDUCES THERAPEUTIC GASTROSTOMY TUBE RATES IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER UNDERGOING CHEMORADIATION THERAPY

LB002

INTERVENTION WITH PEA PROTEIN ORAL NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT REDUCES THERAPEUTIC GASTROSTOMY TUBE RATES IN PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER UNDERGOING CHEMORADIATION THERAPY

J. Deng¹, L. Chau², M. Santoso², N. Chong², R. Chin², N. Withrow^3,*, E. Hsueh³

¹UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, ²UCLA, Los Angeles, ³Kate Farms, Inc, Goleta, United States

Rationale: Maintaining nutritional status during chemoradiation therapy (CRT) for head and neck cancer is challenging, with malnutrition rates up to 88% and gastrostomy (G-tube) placement rates as high as 82%^1,². We hypothesized that a protocolized, plant-based pea protein (PPPBF) oral nutrition supplement would reduce therapeutic G-tube placement compared with standard supportive care.

Methods: In this single-arm, prospective phase II study, patients initiating CRT were monitored for weight loss. Those with ≥5% loss transitioned to full oral nutrition replacement with PPPBF. The primary outcome was a therapeutic G-tube placement during CRT. Secondary outcomes included changes in body weight, BMI, nutritional status, lean body mass, and adherence.

Results: Of 55 patients initiating CRT, 36 initiated the intervention using the weight criteria. Median age was 61.5 years (IQR 54.8–70.0), 82.7% were male, and oropharyngeal cancer was most common (57.7%). 4/36 required therapeutic G-tube placement (11%). Median percent weight change at 3 months was −10.7% (IQR −13.4% to −7.5%), consistent with expected CRT-related decline. Longitudinally, 77% recovered to within 10% of baseline weight and 45% to within 5% at a median follow-up of 18 months (IQR 12–24). Median adherence was 60% (IQR 40–83%), and all G-tube placements occurred among participants with <50% adherence. Among those initiating PPPBF, 2 discontinued due to intolerance.

Conclusion: Protocolized initiation of a complete oral nutrition PPPBF was associated with a lower rate of therapeutic G-tube placements. These findings suggest PPPBF may mitigate the need for a G-tube and improve weight loss recovery rates. More research is needed in this area.

References:         1. Languis JA et al. Clin Nutr. 2013.

        2. Setton J et al. Cancer. 2015.

Disclosure of Interest: J. Deng Grant / Research Support from: Primary Investigator on the project, L. Chau Grant / Research Support from: Registered Dietitian working on the project, M. Santoso Grant / Research Support from: Research Coordinator, Other: Research Coordinator , N. Chong Grant / Research Support from: Staff on project, R. Chin Grant / Research Support from: Co-investigator on project, N. Withrow Other: Assisted in writing the abstract and an employee of Kate Farms, Inc who funded project, E. Hsueh Other: Assisted in writing the abstract and an employee at Kate Farms, Inc who funded project