Using fish oil to improve muscle mass in lung cancer patients on a high-protein diet

Effect of Supplementation of Poly-unsaturated n-3 Fatty Acids and High-protein Diet on Epigenetic Modulation of Muscle Mass, Dose-limiting Toxicity and Intestinal Microbiota in Patients With Lung Cancer Submitted to Treatment With Immunotherapy, Chemotherapy and Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

Not applicable Interventional Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro · NCT04965129

This study is testing if taking fish oil can help lung cancer patients on a high-protein diet gain muscle mass while they are receiving treatment.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages20 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy
Locations1 site (Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro)
Trial IDNCT04965129 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates whether fish oil supplementation can enhance muscle mass and modify the intestinal microbiome in patients with lung cancer who are receiving immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors while on a high-protein diet. Over a period of four months, fifty participants will be randomly assigned to receive either fish oil or a placebo. The study will assess various factors including lean mass, inflammation, and the composition of the intestinal microbiota, aiming to understand the potential benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in this patient population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer who are eligible for immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Not a fit: Patients who have experienced significant weight loss, chronic liver or kidney disease, or other specified health conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve muscle mass and therapeutic responses in lung cancer patients, potentially enhancing their overall treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of fish oil supplementation and lung cancer treatment is novel, previous studies have shown positive effects of n-3 PUFA on inflammation and muscle mass in cancer patients.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer, both sexes, ECOG performance status (0-2) eligible for treatment with immunotherapy, chemotherapy and tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

Exclusion Criteria:

* supplementation of PUFA n-3 in the last 6 months; weight loss\> 10% in 6 months, chronic liver disease, previous chronic kidney disease, anorexia, decompensated diabetes mellitus and dementia.

Where this trial is running

Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Lung Cancerfish oilsbody compositionmicrobiotaepigeneticslung cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.