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NCT07017218Not yet recruiting

Immunonutrition Effects on Nutrition and Immunity in HNC During Radiotherapy

The Impact of Immune Nutrition on Nutritional and Immune Status of Head and Neck Cancer Patients During Radiotherapy

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 12 Jun 2025 · Not updated for over 12 months - ask the site whether it is still open

Brief summary (registry, in English)

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is one of the most common types of malignant tumors, often leading to malnutrition due to its complex anatomical location near many functional organs. Radiotherapy, an essential treatment modality for HNC, can exacerbate malnutrition, potentially causing radiotherapy failure. Both domestic and international guidelines advocate early nutritional intervention for HNC patients at risk of malnutrition; however, specific recommendations on the type of nutritional treatment are lacking. Immunonutrition has shown promise in regulating the immune microenvironment, enhancing immune response, and reducing radiotherapy side effects compared to conventional nutritional interventions. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on immunonutritional therapy during the radiotherapy process for HNC in China. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of immunonutrition on nutritional status, immune function, and quality of life (QoL) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy. This prospective interventional study enrolled 48 head and neck cancer (HNC) patients scheduled to undergo radiotherapy (with or without concurrent chemotherapy). All participants received an immunonutrition formula supplemented with arginine, ω-3 fatty acids, and nucleotides. Throughout the radiotherapy course, certified dietitians and oncology nurses provided standardized nutritional guidance based on a five-step nutritional management protocol. Primary outcomes included:Radiotherapy-related adverse events (e.g., mucositis, dysphagia) assessed at four time points during radiotherapy (weeks 1, 3, 5, and 7) using CTCAE v4.0 criteria;Longitudinal changes in nutritional status (serum albumin, BMI), immune-related biomarkers , and quality of life were assessed at baseline, mid-radiotherapy (week 4), and post-treatment (week 7).

Status (registry)
Not yet recruiting
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
48 (estimated)
First submitted
24 Mar 2025
Start date
20 Jun 2025
Primary completion date
30 Nov 2025
Lead sponsor
First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University
NCT number
NCT07017218

What you commit to

  • Study type: Interventional
  • Planned participants: 48
  • From 20 Jun 2025 to the primary completion date, 30 Nov 2025
  • No sites listed in no country
  • Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Prior treatment

  • Prior history of radiation therapy or biological therapy targeting the head and neck region.
  • Drug or alcohol abuse.

Other illness

  • History of other malignant tumors in the past 5 years, except for adequately treated non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma in situ.
  • Severe systemic diseases, such as uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, severe cardiovascular disease, or chronic renal failure.
  • Known allergies or contraindications to the nutritional formulations used in this study.
  • Mental disorders or cognitive impairments that may affect compliance with the study protocol.
  • Any condition deemed by the investigator to potentially interfere with the study objectives or participant safety

Other

  • Pregnancy or lactation.
  • Participation in other clinical trials within the last 3 months.
  • Inability to tolerate oral nutritional supplements (ONS).

Who the study is looking for

  • Patients must be histologically or cytologically confirmed to have head and neck cancer (HNC).
  • Scheduled for radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy.
  • Willingness to sign informed consent voluntarily.
  • Aged between 18 and 75 years old.
  • Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score ≥70.
  • Hematological and biochemical parameters within the following ranges:
  • White blood cell count (WBC) ≥3.5×10\^9/L
  • Hemoglobin (Hb) ≥90 g/L
  • Platelet count (PLT) ≥100×10\^9/L
  • Serum albumin (ALB) ≥30 g/L
  • Total bilirubin ≤1.5 times the upper limit of normal (ULN)
  • Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ≤2.5 - times ULN
  • Life expectancy of at least 6 months.
  • No severe malnutrition at baseline (e.g., body mass index \[BMI\] \>18.5 kg/m²).

Age in the registry: 18 years to 75 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.