Fucoidan Supplements for Fatigue in Cancer Survivors

Overseen By Jeremy McGuire, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Rochester

Must not be taking: Anticoagulants, Fucoidan supplements

Disqualifiers: Psychiatric illness, Dementia, Pregnancy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

To determine the feasibility of an 8-week fucoidan supplement intervention for patients with fatigue post-cancer treatment and assess changes in fatigue, frailty, and inflammation.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial requires that you stop taking warfarin or other anti-coagulation medications and any supplements that contain fucoidan.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Fucoidan for fatigue in cancer survivors?

While there is no direct evidence for Fucoidan, studies suggest that nutritional interventions, including supplements like ginseng and ginger, may help improve energy levels in cancer survivors. Additionally, diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids have shown potential in reducing fatigue, indicating that certain dietary supplements can be beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How is Fucoidan treatment different from other treatments for fatigue in cancer survivors?

Fucoidan is unique because it is a natural compound derived from seaweed, which may offer a novel approach to managing fatigue in cancer survivors compared to traditional treatments that often focus on dietary changes or omega-3 fatty acid supplements. Unlike other treatments, Fucoidan's potential benefits might be linked to its anti-inflammatory properties, which could help reduce fatigue by addressing underlying inflammation. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for cancer survivors who are experiencing fatigue after their treatment. Participants should be interested in trying a seaweed supplement called fucoidan for 8 weeks to see if it helps reduce their tiredness and inflammation.

Inclusion Criteria

Completed Informed Consent

Speak and understand English

I finished my cancer treatment less than 10 years ago.

Exclusion Criteria

Any allergy to fucoidan

Be diagnosed with a major psychiatric illness requiring hospitalization within the last year

Be diagnosed with dementia

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 4 grams daily of fucoidan for 8 weeks

8 weeks

Usual Care

Participants receive usual care for 8 weeks followed by 4 grams daily of fucoidan for another 8 weeks

16 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in fatigue, frailty, and inflammation

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Fucoidan

Trial Overview The study is testing two types of fucoidan supplements, one from U. Pinnatifida seaweed and another from F. Vesiculosus, to evaluate their effectiveness in alleviating post-treatment fatigue and reducing signs of frailty and inflammation in cancer survivors.

Participant Groups

Group I: Fucoidan Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

They will receive 4 grams daily of fucoidan extracted from F. Vesiculosus for 8 weeks.

Group II: Usual Care Active Control 1 Intervention

They will receive usual care for 8 weeks followed by 4 grams daily of fucoidan extracted from U. Pinnatifida for 8 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Rochester

Lead Sponsor

Trials

883

Recruited

555,000+

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Collaborator

Trials

14,080

Recruited

41,180,000+

Findings from Research

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) can persist for years in cancer survivors, and nutritional interventions may help alleviate this fatigue by addressing inflammation and improving body composition.

Dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet, increased protein intake, and supplements such as ginseng and probiotics have shown potential in reducing fatigue and improving energy levels in cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional Interventions for Treating Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Qualitative Review. Inglis, JE., Lin, PJ., Kerns, SL., et al.[2020]

A 12-week remote Fatigue Reduction Diet (FRD) intervention for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) survivors was feasible and well-accepted, with 90% of participants attending all sessions.

Participants showed significant improvements in diet quality and a reduction in cancer-related fatigue, indicating that dietary interventions may be effective in enhancing the quality of life for lymphoma survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A remote Whole Food Dietary Intervention to Reduce Fatigue and Improve Diet Quality in Lymphoma Survivors: Results of a Feasibility Pilot Study. Weinhold, KR., Light, S., Bittoni, AM., et al.[2023]

In a study of 633 breast cancer survivors, higher levels of inflammation (measured by C-reactive protein) were associated with increased fatigue, indicating that inflammation may contribute to fatigue in these individuals.

The research found that a higher intake of ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) relative to ω-3 PUFAs was linked to greater inflammation and fatigue, suggesting that increasing ω-3 PUFA intake could potentially help reduce fatigue in breast cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fatigue, inflammation, and ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acid intake among breast cancer survivors. Alfano, CM., Imayama, I., Neuhouser, ML., et al.[2022]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional Status Predicts Fatty Acid Uptake from Fish and Soybean Oil Supplements for Treatment of Cancer-Related Fatigue: Results from a Phase II Nationwide Study. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Examination of the association of diet and persistent cancer-related fatigue: a pilot study. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutritional Interventions for Treating Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Qualitative Review. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A remote Whole Food Dietary Intervention to Reduce Fatigue and Improve Diet Quality in Lymphoma Survivors: Results of a Feasibility Pilot Study. [2023]

5. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Is dietary supplement use longitudinally associated with fatigue in stage I-III colorectal cancer survivors? [2021]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Versus Omega-6 Fatty Acids for the Control of Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Breast Cancer Survivors. [2022]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fatigue, inflammation, and ω-3 and ω-6 fatty acid intake among breast cancer survivors. [2022]