• Assessment
    Are the protein needs of cancer patients treated by pelvic radiation therapy different from the RDA?
    • Conclusion

      One study presented in two reports (a neutral quality timeseries and positive quality timeseries) assessed the protein intake of 15 patients undergoing radiation for pelvic malignancies.  It appears that higher than RDA intake is needed to prevent loss of FFM

      During RT, participant's protein intake decreased from 1.0 g/kg to 0.8 g/kg and patients experienced a loss of weight and FFM (p=0.03, p=0.05 respectively).   Two years post-RT, protein intake had increased to 1.3 g/kg (p<0.01) and weight and FFM increased (p<0.01, p=0.05 respectively). Neither study reported protein intake in relation to body weight, nor did either assess impact of intake on nitrogen balance or protein turnover, thus it is difficult to interpret the results in terms of the RDA for protein.  Although it appears that the protein needs of patients during radiation are higher than the RDA, more research is needed to identify more defined recommendations for actual grams of protein required.

       

    • Grade: III
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    • Search Plan and Results: Protein Needs vs. RDA: Radiation 2006
       
    Are the protein needs of head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy different than the RDA?
    • Conclusion

      One study (positive quality timeseries) assessed the impact of protein intake on weight and body composition in 38 head and neck cancer patients receiving RT. It appears that higher than RDA intake is needed to prevent loss of FFM.

      During RT participants’ protein intake decreased from 1.33 ± 0.46g/kg to 0.82 ± 0.54g/kg (p<0.001) and patients experienced a significant decrease in weight and LBM during treatment (p<0.001, p<0.001 respectively). Although protein intake increased to 1.54 ± 0.54g/kg (p<0.001) 2 months post-RT, there was no improvement in weight and a small improvement in LBM (p<0.01). This study did not assess impact of protein intake on nitrogen balance or protein turnover, thus it is difficult to interpret the results in terms of the RDA for protein. Although it appears that the protein needs of patients during radiation are higher than the RDA, more research is needed to identify more defined recommendations for actual grams of protein required.

    • Grade: III
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    • Search Plan and Results: Protein Needs vs. RDA: Radiation 2006
       
    Are the protein needs of rectal cancer patients undergoing cancer treatment different than the RDA?
    • Conclusion
      No studies were identified that addressed the question directly.  More research is needed.
    • Grade: V
      • Grade I means there is Good/Strong evidence supporting the statement;
      • Grade II is Fair;
      • Grade III is Limited/Weak;
      • Grade IV is Expert Opinion Only;
      • Grade V is Not Assignable.
      • High (A) means we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect;
      • Moderate (B) means we are moderately confident in the effect estimate;
      • Low (C) means our confidence in the effect estimate is limited;
      • Very Low (D) means we have very little confidence in the effect estimate.
      • Ungraded means a grade is not assignable.
    • Search Plan and Results: Protein Needs vs. RDA: Radiation 2006