Exploring the Impact of a Multi-modal Nutritional Intervention in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer (FEED Trial)
The study will examine if a multi-modal nutritional care package, with or without resistance training delivered with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, is effective at preventing loss of muscle strength during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. There are two arms in this study: Control Arm will receive standard dietetic care and be prescribed standard pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy and oral nutritional supplement drinks with their neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The intervention Arm will have 3 additional dietitian visits and 6 physiotherapist visits that the control group will not.
• Ability to give signed informed consent and willing and able to comply with the protocol.
• Patients aged 18 years and above.
• Patients with newly diagnosed, pathologically confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who will undergo neoadjuvant chemotherapy following formal MDT assessment at St Vincent's University Hospital, specifically FOLFIRINOX or Gemcitabine with Nab-Paclitaxel (and/or any additional therapy regimen approved by NCCP).
• Patients have CT scan available and suitable for body composition analysis within 8 weeks prior to randomisation.
• Patients have adequate upper limb dexterity to allow assessment of hand grip strength.