Metabolism of Lipids in Advanced Cancer
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The causes of failing nutrition status in advanced cancer are not well known. The way fat is moved, stored, burned or changed into other compounds may be affected and will be followed in patients using a tracer and other blood tests. The investigators hypothesize that fat loss and wasting results from low essential fatty acid availability in the body. Changes may occur in the liver that limits distribution and availability of fat to the body as an energy source or for other essential functions.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
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Detailed Description
Weight loss in cancer is the result of breakdown of fat (lipid) and muscle protein reserves. This research will explore how people with cancer use fat in their body through the use of tracers and measures in the blood. A stable isotope of hydrogen called 'deuterium' is used to trace the production of different fats by the liver. Other methods will determine how much and what types of fat are transported around the body. Body composition will be determined by CT scan and related to fat measures.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
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Metabolism Lung cancer patients who exhibit abnormalities in lipid measures. |
Other: Blood draws
Up to 4 blood draws will be required, in the amount of about 10 mL each
Biological: Oral administration of stable isotope (deuterium)
1 mg deuterium-labeled water/kg body water (loading dose), and 0.5 mg/kg body water diluted in 1 L of normal water (maintenance dose) to be consumed over the following 16 hours
Other Names:
Procedure: Metabolic rate testing
Metabolic rate testing is a painless, non-invasive test that takes about 1h. A metabolic cart is used, which detects the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide the body uses. Patients will lie down on a bed for 30 minutes with lights dimmed and soft music to help them relax. After 30 minutes, a canopy will be placed over the patient's head and shoulders for 30 minutes for the analysis of breath samples. This test will be performed only once for this study.
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Rate of hepatic de novo lipogenesis [9 months]
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Measures of fat transport and availability [9 months]
- Resting metabolic rate & fat oxidation [9 months]
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Low plasma phospholipids OR low plasma ratio of triglycerides to free fatty acids
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Recent weight loss
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Advanced stage lung cancer (Stage 3 or 4)
Exclusion Criteria:
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Having symptoms that may affect measures of fat metabolism (nausea, vomiting, problems swallowing, etc.)
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Taking n-3 fatty acid supplements such as fish oil
Contacts and Locations
Locations
Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
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1 | Cross Cancer Institute | Edmonton | Alberta | Canada | T6G 1Z2 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- AHS Cancer Control Alberta
- Cross Cancer Institute
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Vera Mazurak, PhD, AHS Cancer Control Alberta
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Additional Information:
Publications
None provided.- CIHR PIN 111846/ethics 24906
- CIHR PIN 111846