Quality of life and illness perceptions in patients with breast cancer using a fasting mimicking diet as an adjunct to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the phase 2 DIRECT (BOOG 2013–14) trial

• DOI: 10.1007/s10549-020-05991-x
• Publication Date: 2020-11-11T18:02:41Z
• Authors: Rieneke T. Lugten...; Stefanie de Groot; Ad A. Kaptein; Maarten J. Fischer; Elma Meershoek-Kl...; Marjolijn Duijm-d...; Danielle Cohen; Hiltje de Graaf; Joan B. Heijns; Johanneke E. A. P...; Agnes J. van de Wouw; Alex L. T. Imholz; Lonneke W. Kessels; Suzan Vrijaldenhoven; Arnold Baars; Marta Fiocco; Jacobus J. M. van...; Hans Gelderblom; Valter D. Longo; Hanno Pijl; Judith R. Kroep
• Keywords: Chemotherapy regimen

Abstract Purpose In the phase II DIRECT study a fasting mimicking diet (FMD) improved clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy as compared regular diet. Quality of Life (QoL) and illness perceptions regarding possible side effects FMD were secondary outcomes trial. Methods 131 patients with HER2-negative stage II/III breast cancer recruited, whom 129 randomly assigned (1:1) receive either or their for 3 days prior day chemotherapy. The European Organisation Research Treatment Cancer (EORTC) questionnaires EORTC-QLQ-C30 EORTC-QLQ-BR23; Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) Distress Thermometer used assess these at baseline, halfway chemotherapy, before last cycle 6 months after surgery. Results Overall QoL distress scores declined during treatment in both arms returned baseline values However, patients’ differed slightly over time. particular, receiving less concerned had better understanding adverse comparison on Per-protocol analyses yielded emotional, physical, role, cognitive social functioning well lower fatigue, nausea insomnia symptom adherent non-adherent Conclusions an adjunct appears improve certain perception domains cancer. Trialregister ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02126449.