Integrated supportive and nutrition care program for older adults with advanced pancreatic cancer: A feasibility study.

Abstract

e24050 Background: Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive malignancy that disproportionately impacts older adults. Older adults with pancreatic cancer experience reduced quality of life and nutritional status compared with younger adults. Despite this, supportive care and nutrition programs for this population remain underdeveloped. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of an early supportive care and nutrition program for older adults with advanced pancreatic cancer initiating chemotherapy. Methods: Participants scheduled for pancreatic surgery and initiating neoadjuvant chemotherapy received supportive care and a dietitian referral prior to chemotherapy initiation, along with ongoing supportive care and dietitian visits for 12 weeks. Participants logged daily food intake via Fitbit and completed symptom assessments between visits. Results: The median age of participants was 71. The race/ethnicity distribution was 82.6% Non-Hispanic White, 8.7% Hispanic, 4.3% Non-Hispanic Black, and 4.3% Other. A priori benchmarks for recruitment (≥50% consent rate), retention (≥70%), intervention satisfaction (≥60%), and adherence to dietitian and supportive care visits (≥60%) were met. However, the benchmark for food logging (70% of study days) was not achieved (52% vs. 60%). Significant improvements were observed over 12 weeks in nutritional status, as measured by a reduced PG-SGA score (12.9 vs. 7.6; P < .001), and in health-related quality of life, as measured by an increased FACT-Hep score (45 vs. 52; P = .011). Conclusions: An integrated nutrition and supportive care program was feasible for older adults with advanced pancreatic cancer. Study findings suggest the program may improve nutritional status and quality of life, although the study was underpowered to establish efficacy. A fully powered effectiveness trial is needed to confirm these findings. Future trials may need to provide additional support for electronic food logging or explore alternative methods for food tracking. Clinical trial information: NCT06001268 .