1679P A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized phase IIa trial, evaluating the effect of curcumin for the treatment of cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome in patients with stage III-IV head and neck cancer (CurChexia)

Abstract

Cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CAS) is a significant comorbidity in all cancer patients that increase the mortality rate. Almost all head and neck cancer (HNC) patients suffered from this syndrome. CAS causes increased energy expenditure by increased systemic inflammation and decreased energy consumption due to anorexia. This leads to skeleton muscle breakdown and affects the quality of life. Nutritional interventions and cancer treatment are the mainstays to treat this situation. However, a vicious cycle causes CAS to persist, especially in HNC, where tumor location and its treatment interfere with nutritional intervention.