NutriCa65

Malnutrition, defined using the criteria set by the 'Global leadership in Malnutrition', is common in older patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and pancreatic cancer (PDAC), and associated with reduced survival, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), dehydration, cachexia, sarcopenia and frailty. Use of other psychosocial factors and outcomes is underused in these patients. Despite these findings, malnutrition remains insufficiently diagnosed and treated and results from studies using a 'one size fits all' approach for all patients are heterogeneous. Such interventions usually are lacking a patient-centred approach as patients are not involved in the planning and preparation of trials. We want to investigate whether individualised nutrition care in patients with AML and PDAC older than 65 years (65+) can improve HRQoL, malnutrition, dehydration, sarcopenia, cachexia and frailty, and other psychosocial outcomes. Therefore, we conduct two multicentre, European RCTs (one in AML and one in PDAC) with similar design - providing early, individualised nutrition care for a duration of 6 months, with a follow up period of 6 months. Involved centres represent different European regions (north - N, Dk, south - E, I, central - A, east Rom). The intervention will be delivered by dietitians, and supported by an evidence based mobile health app focusing on malnutrition. Main outcome will be HRQoL, with malnutrition, dehydration, psychosocial factors and survival (for survival, the trials will be probably underpowered). The RCTs will be co-created with stakeholders including patients, caregivers, patients' organisations, and healthcare personal, and be tested in a feasibility study. Results will be used to improve the integration of nutritional care into oncology care pathways, besides scientific publication and broader communication and dissemination to patients and caregivers, health care personal, other stakeholder groups, and the general public. This action is part of the Cancer Mission cluster of projects on “Quality of life – Nutrition for older cancer patients.