Omega-3 enriched nutritional drink for malnutrition in people with lung or colorectal cancer
Tests an omega-3 nutritional drink in adults with lung or colorectal cancer.
Key facts
- Who runs it
- University of Edinburgh
- Where
- Edinburgh, Gateshead, and Liverpool, United KingdomSee the 3 sitesAlso in 1 other country, 1 site
- Trial code
- Registry title
- Optimizing Patient Treatment With EPA-enriched Nutrition, a Randomised Control Trial
- Status
- Recruiting
- People taking part
- 118 people, planned
- Started
- 1 Apr 2026
- Expected to end
- Jun 2027
- Type of study
- Interventional, 2 groupsOne group gets no study treatment, for comparison.
- Treatments tested
- Fortimel Forticare Sensations
- Record updated
- 20 October 2026
Who can take part
AI summary
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for adults with stage III-IV lung or colorectal cancer who are at risk of malnutrition and on or about to start cancer drug treatment.
- Age
- 18 years or older.
- Sex
- Men and women can join.
- Disease stage
- Stage III-IV lung and/or colorectal cancer, treated with systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) or starting it within the next 4 weeks, not meant to remove all of the disease. Daily activity score (ECOG-PS) of 0, 1 or 2.
- Earlier treatment
- People already using dietary counselling, oral nutritional supplements or any artificial feeding cannot join. No tumour removal surgery in the past 12 months.
- Biomarker or test result
- Nutritional risk: BMI under 20 kg/m2 and/or weight loss of over 5% in the previous 6 months. Inflammation within 28 days of screening (CRP >10 mg/dL).
Main reasons for not taking part
- Tumour removal surgery within the past 12 months
- Severe kidney or liver failure, or intolerance to any ingredient of the study product
- Using dietary counselling, oral nutritional supplements or artificial feeding now
- Lactose intolerance or other reason not to use nutritional supplements
- Pregnant, or able to become pregnant and not using adequate contraception
The registry criteria, word for word
Show all 12 criteriaShow less
Who can take part
- Participants with stage III-IV lung and/or colorectal cancer undergoing systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) or starting SACT within the next 4 weeks *with non-curative intent
- Participants aged 18 or older
- Participants at nutritional risk defined as a BMI <20 kg/m2 and/or over 5% weight loss in the previous 6 months**
- Participants with systemic inflammation within 28 days of screening (CRP >10 mg/dL)
- Participants with an ECOG-PS*** score of 0, 1 or 2
- Participants willing and able to give written informed consent
Who cannot take part
- Participants with a recent history of tumour resection (within 12 months)
- Participants with severe renal or hepatic failure or an intolerance to any of the ingredients of the study product
- Participants who are using dietary counselling, ONS or any form of artificial feeding at the time of recruitment
- Unable to adhere to either arm of the trial and appropriate requirements
- Contraindication to ONS including a lactose intolerance
- Females who are pregnant or of childbearing potential and not using adequate contraception
Where in United Kingdom
Also in 1 other country, 1 site
- Edinburgh Cancer CentreEdinburgh, United KingdomContact: Iain PhillipsTaking people
- Gateshead NHS TrustGateshead, United KingdomContact: Kerry WaterfieldTaking people
- Clatterbridge Cancer CentreLiverpool, United KingdomContact: Seamus CoyleTaking people
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
Malnutrition is a common and serious issue for people living with cancer. Many cancer patients experience weight loss, muscle weakness, and poor quality of life due to malnutrition. This can also reduce the success of cancer treatments, increase hospital visits, and add emotional distress for both patients and their loved ones.
Read full original descriptionShow less
Treating malnutrition through good nutritional care is increasingly recognised as an important part of cancer treatment. Leading experts recommend that all cancer patients be checked for signs of malnutrition and given personalised nutrition plans when necessary. While dietary counselling and oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are often used to help patients, there is still a need for better evidence to show how well these interventions work.
A key factor contributing to malnutrition in cancer patients is inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids, (like those found in oily fish) are known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest that omega-3s may help cancer patients by reducing inflammation, keeping muscles strong, improving appetite, and enhancing overall well-being.
The OPT-EPA study will investigate whether a nutritional drink, called Fortimel Forticare Sensations (FFS), can improve nutritional status in patients with lung or colorectal cancer who are at risk of malnutrition. This drink is enriched with omega-3 fatty acids (Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) and provides a high amount of protein and calories in a small volume, making it easier to consume, especially for patients with taste changes.
In this study, participants will be divided into two groups. The experimental group will receive dietary counselling and standard care along with FFS, the omega-3-enriched nutritional drink, while the other (control) group will receive dietary counselling and standard care, with supplements provided only if clinically necessary. Researchers will evaluate the impact on patients' nutritional status, body weight, muscle, inflammation levels, and quality of life.
Through the OPT-EPA study, researchers hope to gain clearer insights into whether omega-3-containing supplements can provide meaningful benefits for cancer patients. Ultimately, this could help improve the quality of care and outcomes for people facing cancer-related malnutrition.
The 2 groups in the trial
- Dietary Counselling and EPA-enriched FFS (experimental ONS) and standard careTreatment being tested
Treatment: Fortimel Forticare Sensations
- Dietary Counselling and standard careNo study treatment, for comparison
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorData and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- Optimizing Patient Treatment With EPA-enriched Nutrition, a Randomised Control Trial
- Plain-language title
- Omega-3 enriched nutritional drink for malnutrition in people with lung or colorectal cancerGenerated from the registry record. The registry title is the official one.
- AI summary
- From the trial's eligibility criteria. Read by machine on 12 November 2026.
- Record updated
- 20 October 2026