Impact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background The best pharmacological treatments and dietary regimens for cancer continue to be a problem for public health. In the scientific field of oncology, whey protein WP is frequently used as a dietary strategy. The goal of the current meta-analysis is to ascertain the positive impact...

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Main Authors: AL Shaimaa Ibrahim Rabie, Tasneem Alhomsi, Merna Mahmoud AbouKhatwa, Ethar Ahmed Mosilhy, Raga A. Elzahaf
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024-10-01
Series:Discover Food
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-024-00171-y
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author AL Shaimaa Ibrahim Rabie
Tasneem Alhomsi
Merna Mahmoud AbouKhatwa
Ethar Ahmed Mosilhy
Raga A. Elzahaf
author_facet AL Shaimaa Ibrahim Rabie
Tasneem Alhomsi
Merna Mahmoud AbouKhatwa
Ethar Ahmed Mosilhy
Raga A. Elzahaf
author_sort AL Shaimaa Ibrahim Rabie
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The best pharmacological treatments and dietary regimens for cancer continue to be a problem for public health. In the scientific field of oncology, whey protein WP is frequently used as a dietary strategy. The goal of the current meta-analysis is to ascertain the positive impact of WP supplements on cancer patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify RCTs that investigated WP in cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Clinical Trials, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and WOS with no language restrictions for relevant studies. Results Reports were fully assessed based on the inclusion criteria found only 23. Only four studies were included in the systematic review and meta‐analysis. Body weight and weight change showed the difference was significantly favoring the whey protein arm at 12 weeks (MD = 1.41 [0.14, 2.69]). BMI and change in BMI, lean tissue mass and increase in lean tissue mass showed nonsignificant differences throughout follow-up. Handgrip strength and change in handgrip strength showed significantly higher in the whey-treated arm after 3 and 6 months (MD = 3.11 [1.45, 4.78], 1.04 [− 0.55, 2.63], respectively. Whey protein significantly decreased the hematological toxicity of chemotherapy (RR = 0.55 [0.30, 0.98]) compared to the control group However, gastrointestinal toxicity was not reduced with whey protein treatment (RR = 0.58 [0.19, 1.79]). Conclusion In malnourished cancer patients undergoing Chemotherapy supplementation with WP may improve body weight, and handgrip strength and reduce Chemotherapy toxicity, which may lead to improved treatment efficacy.
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spelling doaj-art-616a8b207f674cfdb1060971cf4c6eea2025-08-20T02:11:26ZengSpringerDiscover Food2731-42862024-10-014111610.1007/s44187-024-00171-yImpact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysisAL Shaimaa Ibrahim Rabie0Tasneem Alhomsi1Merna Mahmoud AbouKhatwa2Ethar Ahmed Mosilhy3Raga A. Elzahaf4Clinical Pharmacy Department, Beni-Suef UniversityPharmaceutical Services DepartmentClinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Alexandria UniversityDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo UniversityPublic Health Department, College of Medical TechnologyAbstract Background The best pharmacological treatments and dietary regimens for cancer continue to be a problem for public health. In the scientific field of oncology, whey protein WP is frequently used as a dietary strategy. The goal of the current meta-analysis is to ascertain the positive impact of WP supplements on cancer patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify RCTs that investigated WP in cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Clinical Trials, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and WOS with no language restrictions for relevant studies. Results Reports were fully assessed based on the inclusion criteria found only 23. Only four studies were included in the systematic review and meta‐analysis. Body weight and weight change showed the difference was significantly favoring the whey protein arm at 12 weeks (MD = 1.41 [0.14, 2.69]). BMI and change in BMI, lean tissue mass and increase in lean tissue mass showed nonsignificant differences throughout follow-up. Handgrip strength and change in handgrip strength showed significantly higher in the whey-treated arm after 3 and 6 months (MD = 3.11 [1.45, 4.78], 1.04 [− 0.55, 2.63], respectively. Whey protein significantly decreased the hematological toxicity of chemotherapy (RR = 0.55 [0.30, 0.98]) compared to the control group However, gastrointestinal toxicity was not reduced with whey protein treatment (RR = 0.58 [0.19, 1.79]). Conclusion In malnourished cancer patients undergoing Chemotherapy supplementation with WP may improve body weight, and handgrip strength and reduce Chemotherapy toxicity, which may lead to improved treatment efficacy.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-024-00171-yWhey proteinMilk wheyCancerNeoplasm
spellingShingle AL Shaimaa Ibrahim Rabie
Tasneem Alhomsi
Merna Mahmoud AbouKhatwa
Ethar Ahmed Mosilhy
Raga A. Elzahaf
Impact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis
Discover Food
Whey protein
Milk whey
Cancer
Neoplasm
title Impact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full Impact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr Impact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed Impact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short Impact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort impact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients systematic review and meta analysis
topic Whey protein
Milk whey
Cancer
Neoplasm
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-024-00171-y
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