Increased Protein Intake (Eggs) for Cancer Recovery

Overseen By Wendy Wismer, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alberta

Disqualifiers: Brain cancer, Egg allergy, COPD, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether eating at least two eggs a day can aid cancer patients in recovering better after treatment. The goal is to determine if adding eggs to the usual diet can improve muscle strength, immune function, and overall quality of life. Participants will either begin the egg diet immediately after treatment or wait four weeks before starting. The trial seeks patients who have completed cancer treatment with platinum chemotherapy and can independently eat semi-solid food. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for patients to contribute to research that could enhance recovery strategies after cancer treatment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that eggs can be a safe part of most people's diets, including those of cancer patients. Studies have found that consuming eggs 1-6 times a week links to a lower risk of death from any cause in generally healthy older adults. This suggests that eating eggs is usually safe and might even be beneficial.

Some studies suggest a small risk with eating more eggs, but the evidence isn't strong enough to discourage consumption. In fact, eggs are often recommended because they provide high-quality protein, which is important for maintaining healthy muscles. For cancer patients, preserving muscle mass and strength can aid recovery and improve quality of life.

In this trial, participants will consume at least 2 eggs a day, which previous studies have considered safe and beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using increased protein intake from eggs for cancer recovery because it offers a simple, nutritional boost that can be easily integrated into a patient's everyday diet. Unlike traditional cancer recovery treatments that often involve complex medications or therapies, this approach harnesses the natural benefits of protein to aid in rebuilding strength and muscle mass after treatment. By focusing on dietary intervention, it may provide a more holistic and less invasive option, potentially reducing recovery time and improving overall well-being.

What evidence suggests that this trial's egg supplementation could be effective for cancer recovery?

This trial will compare two approaches to egg supplementation for cancer recovery. Research has shown that eggs provide high-quality protein, which can help build muscle. This is crucial for cancer patients, who often lose muscle mass and strength during treatment. Although studies have mixed results about the overall health effects of eating eggs, they are generally considered safe and beneficial for improving nutrition. Some research suggests that eating eggs does not increase the risk of certain cancers. The goal of including eggs in cancer recovery is to boost the immune system and improve quality of life by ensuring adequate protein intake. Participants in this trial will receive either an early intervention, starting immediately after treatment, or a delayed intervention, beginning four weeks post-treatment. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Vera Mazurak, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Alberta

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults over 18 who've finished platinum chemotherapy for cancer, can eat on their own, and are willing to follow the study plan. It's not for those allergic to eggs, fed by tubes or IV nutrition, with brain cancer or conditions affecting food consumption or nutrient metabolism.

Inclusion Criteria

I have completed treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy for my confirmed cancer.

Patients must have the ability to read, understand, and sign an informed consent and must be willing to comply with study treatment and follow-up

I can eat semi-solid foods by myself and can continue to do so.

Exclusion Criteria

I am fed through a tube or IV nutrition.

I don't have conditions affecting my nutrient absorption.

Known hypersensitivity or allergy to eggs

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Early Intervention

Participants receive a nutritional intervention of ≥2 eggs immediately after the completion of treatment for 8 weeks

8 weeks

Delayed Intervention

Participants receive a nutritional intervention of ≥2 eggs starting 4 weeks after the completion of treatment, for 4 weeks

4 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in body weight, protein intake, energy intake, quality of life, nutritional status, symptom severity, and physical performance

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• ≥ 2 eggs in addition to usual diet

Trial Overview

The study tests if adding at least two eggs daily to the diet of cancer patients post-treatment can improve protein intake, immune function, and quality of life. Participants are randomly assigned to start this egg-enriched diet either immediately or after four weeks.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Early Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants are expected to begin intervention immediately after the completion of treatment for a period of 8 weeks.

Group II: Delayed Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants are expected to begin intervention 4 weeks after the completion of the treatment, for a period of 4 weeks (weeks 5-8).

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alberta

Lead Sponsor

Trials

957

Recruited

437,000+

Egg Farmers of Canada

Collaborator

Trials

3

Recruited

270+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study of 6,348 women with stage I to III breast cancer, higher protein intake was associated with a modest improvement in survival rates, particularly with animal protein, suggesting that protein consumption may be beneficial post-diagnosis.

The study found no significant differences in survival benefits based on insulin receptor status or specific types of amino acids, indicating that women with breast cancer may not need to restrict protein intake for better outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protein Intake and Breast Cancer Survival in the Nurses' Health Study. Holmes, MD., Wang, J., Hankinson, SE., et al.[2019]

There is no confirmed link between fat consumption and breast or colon cancer, but alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of cancers in the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus.

A balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables is recommended for cancer patients, as it does not differ significantly from the diet of healthy individuals, and early nutritional intervention is crucial to prevent clinical depletion during cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Nutrition and cancer: causative, protective and therapeutic aspects]. van den Brandt, PA., Dagnelie, PC., von Meyenfeldt, MF.[2018]

Cancer survivors are more likely to use dietary supplements, with 70.4% reporting any supplement use compared to 51.2% of individuals without cancer, and they also consume higher doses of certain vitamins and minerals.

Despite higher supplement use, cancer survivors tend to have lower nutrient intakes from food, leading to a higher prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake for several essential nutrients, as well as a risk of excess intake from supplements, particularly for vitamin D and calcium.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Supplement Use among Adult Cancer Survivors in the United States. Du, M., Luo, H., Blumberg, JB., et al.[2023]

A scoping review of 14 studies indicates that protein and amino acid supplementation can positively impact muscle strength in adult cancer patients, generally aligning with improvements in muscle mass.

Combining energy and protein intake, especially when oral intake is low, leads to more significant gains in muscle strength and mass, although the exact mechanisms behind this effect need further investigation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of Protein Supplementation Targeted at Improving Muscle Mass on Strength in Cancer Patients: A Scoping Review. Zanetti, M., Gortan Cappellari, G., Barazzoni, R., et al.[2021]

This report highlights the need for more research on optimal nutrition for cancer survivors, as most dietary guidelines focus on cancer prevention rather than post-treatment care.

It provides evidence-based dietary recommendations tailored to different phases of cancer survivorship and specific cancer types, along with a FAQ section to enhance communication between survivors and healthcare providers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Nutrition during and after cancer treatment: a guide for informed choices by cancer survivors. Brown, J., Byers, T., Thompson, K., et al.[2019]

In a study of 1081 cancer survivors in France, 62% of women and 29% of men reported using dietary supplements (DS), often without informing their doctors, highlighting a significant gap in medical supervision.

18% of DS users engaged in potentially harmful practices, such as combining certain supplements with medications or using them inappropriately for their cancer type, indicating a need for better communication between patients and healthcare providers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary supplement use among cancer survivors of the NutriNet-Santé cohort study. Pouchieu, C., Fassier, P., Druesne-Pecollo, N., et al.[2015]

A study involving 684 breast cancer survivors revealed that many patients made positive dietary changes after their diagnosis, such as increasing their intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while reducing red and processed meat consumption.

Despite these changes, less than half of the survivors reported modifying their diets, and many used dietary supplements without consulting their oncologists, highlighting the need for better communication and tailored nutrition counseling for cancer survivors.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Results of the ECHO (Eating habits CHanges in Oncologic patients) Survey: An Italian Cross-Sectional Multicentric Study to Explore Dietary Changes and Dietary Supplement Use, in Breast Cancer Survivors. Caprara, G., Tieri, M., Fabi, A., et al.[2022]

In a study of 177 women with primary breast cancer, higher total protein intake was linked to increased expression of VEGF-A and VEGFR2, particularly in patients with progesterone receptor-positive tumors and those with axillary lymph node metastasis.

Animal protein intake was associated with overexpression of RhoA in estrogen receptor-positive tumors and those with vascular invasion, suggesting that dietary protein may influence tumor behavior and metastasis in breast cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary protein sources and tumoral overexpression of RhoA, VEGF-A and VEGFR2 genes among breast cancer patients. Shokri, A., Pirouzpanah, S., Foroutan-Ghaznavi, M., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of seven studies found that breast cancer survivors with better overall dietary intake, characterized by healthier patterns and lower inflammation, had a decreased risk of overall and non-breast cancer mortality.

While the evidence suggests that improving dietary quality may enhance overall survival for breast cancer survivors, there is not enough data to make firm conclusions about its impact on breast cancer-specific survival or recurrence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Overall Dietary Intake and Prognosis after Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review. Terranova, CO., Protani, MM., Reeves, MM.[2019]

Research indicates that both underfeeding and optimal protein intake can inhibit tumor growth, suggesting that the quantity of protein consumed is more critical than its source in cancer prevention.

The relationship between protein intake and cancer risk is complex, as high protein diets may sometimes lower tumor incidence due to reduced overall food intake, highlighting the need for careful consideration of dietary factors in cancer studies.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary protein and experimental carcinogenesis. Visek, WJ.[2019]

Breast cancer patients should undergo a nutritional assessment right after diagnosis to tailor dietary interventions that support their health during and after treatment, focusing on maintaining a healthy body weight and lean mass.

A personalized nutrition plan is recommended, emphasizing a balanced intake of macronutrients (less than 30% fat, about 55% carbohydrates, and adequate protein) and encouraging high consumption of fruits and vegetables to improve nutritional status and overall health outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dietary Guidelines for Breast Cancer Patients: A Critical Review. Limon-Miro, AT., Lopez-Teros, V., Astiazaran-Garcia, H.[2023]

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