Predicting muscle loss during lung cancer treatment (PREDICT): protocol for a mixed methods prospective study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Low muscle mass and low muscle attenuation (radiodensity), indicating increased muscle adiposity, are common in lung cancer patients receiving curative chemoradiation therapy (CRT) or radiation therapy (RT).
• There is a limited understanding of the factors influencing these muscle abnormalities and their clinical impact in this patient population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictors of muscle abnormalities (low muscle mass and attenuation) and their changes over time in lung cancer patients undergoing CRT/RT.
• To assess the association of these muscle parameters with health-related quality of life, treatment completion, toxicities, and survival.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study of 120 lung cancer patients planned for CRT/RT.
• Assessment of muscle abnormalities via CT scan at baseline and 2 months post-treatment.
• Evaluation of demographic, clinical, nutritional, functional, and inflammatory factors, including the SARC-F score and calf-circumference, in relation to muscle abnormalities.

Main Results:

• Muscle abnormalities (low mass and attenuation) are prevalent in lung cancer patients undergoing CRT/RT.
• Predictors of these abnormalities and their depletion over time are being investigated.
• The study will examine the impact of muscle abnormalities on treatment toxicities, completion, and survival.

Conclusions:

• This research aims to elucidate the determinants and clinical significance of muscle abnormalities in lung cancer patients receiving CRT/RT.
• Findings will inform the development of targeted interventions to mitigate muscle depletion and improve patient outcomes.
• The study will also explore patient perspectives on coping with treatment and preferences for nutrition and exercise strategies.