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Early Supportive and Nutritional Care For Adults With Pancreatic Cancer: A Pilot Study
Yu Chen Lin1, Kea Turner2, Sahana Rajasekhara3
1Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior (Y.C.L., O.T.N., E.H., O.S., A.A.T.), Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|August 15, 2025
Summary
This study shows a digital intervention (STRONG+) is feasible and acceptable for improving nutrition and quality of life in advanced pancreatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further research is recommended to refine the program.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Palliative Care
- Nutrition Science
Background:
- Advanced pancreatic cancer carries a poor prognosis, necessitating interventions to enhance patient quality of life.
- Quality of life in these patients is significantly impacted by symptom burden and nutritional status.
- Integrated palliative and nutrition care programs are crucial for this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the STRONG+ (Support Through Remote Observation and Nutrition Guidance Plus Supportive Care) intervention.
- STRONG+ is a 12-week, team-based digital program designed to combat malnutrition and improve quality of life in advanced pancreatic cancer patients.
- The study aimed to evaluate preliminary effectiveness of the intervention.
Main Methods:
- A single-arm feasibility trial involving patients initiating palliative chemotherapy.
- Participants received dietitian-led nutrition counseling and palliative care specialist visits, alongside daily food logging and monthly outcome assessments via a web-based dashboard.
- Feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness (malnutrition risk, quality of life) were evaluated using quantitative and qualitative methods.
Main Results:
- The STRONG+ intervention met feasibility benchmarks for recruitment, attrition, and adherence to counseling and supportive care.
- Participants reported high acceptability of the intervention (94%), with caregivers also rating it highly (87%).
- Significant reductions in malnutrition risk (P < .001) and improvements in health-related quality of life (P = .009) were observed at 16 weeks.
Conclusions:
- The STRONG+ intervention appears feasible and acceptable for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving palliative chemotherapy.
- Further refinement and testing in a larger, powered trial are warranted.
- Generalizability may be limited to patients initiating palliative chemotherapy.
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