Sarcopenia , as defined by reduced muscle mass alone , was found to be very prevalent in patients with lung cancer , regardless of body mass index , and where present was associated with poorer functional status and overall survival .
The effect of nutritional supplements and ATP infusions on muscle mass showed conflicting results .
There are very limited data on the correlation between degree of sarcopenia and muscle function , which has a non-linear relationship in older non-cancer population s. CONCLUSIONS Loss of muscle mass is a significant contributor to morbidity in patients with lung cancer .
OBJECTIVES There is growing awareness of the relationship between sarcopenia ( loss of muscle mass and function ) , and outcomes in cancer , making it a potential target for future therapies .
In order to inform future research and practice , we undertook a systematic review of factors associated with loss of muscle mass , and the relationship between muscle function and muscle mass in lung cancer , a common condition associated with poor outcomes .
Effect of adenosine 5′-triphosphate infusions on the nutritional status and survival of preterminal cancer patients
The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of intravenous infusions of adenosine 5′-triphosphate ( ATP ) on nutritional status and survival in preterminal cancer patients . Ninety-nine preterminal cancer patients ( estimated life expectancy 1–6 months ) with mixed tumor types were r and omly allocated to receive either intravenous ATP weekly ( 8–10 h/week , maximum 50 μg/kg/min ) for 8 weeks , or no ATP ( control group ) . Nutritional status parameters were assessed until 8 weeks , and analyzed by repeated- measures analysis of covariance . Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to assess the effect of ATP on short-term ( 0–8 weeks ) and long-term ( 0–6 months ) survival . Fifty-one patients were r and omized to ATP and 48 to the control group . Results showed a significant favorable effect of ATP  on triceps skin fold thickness [ between-group difference per 8 weeks 1.76 mm , 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : 0.48–3.12 mm ; P = 0.009 ] and on short-term survival [ 0–8 weeks hazard ratio ( HR ) : 0.40 , 95 % CI : 0.17–0.95 ; P = 0.037 ] . In weight-stable patients and in lung cancer patients , long-term survival ( 0–6 months ) was also significantly better in ATP-treated patients ( weight-stable patients HR : 0.40 , 95 % CI : 0.19–0.83 ; P = 0.014 ; patients with lung cancer : HR : 0.35 , 95 % CI : 0.14–0.88 ; P = 0.025 ) . In conclusion , in this population of preterminal cancer patients  , ATP infusions , at the dose and schedule studied , had a favorable effect on triceps skin fold thickness and survival , especially in weight-stable patients and patients with lung cancer . Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings and to further define the effect of ATP  on tumor growth and survival
Sarcopenia , as defined by reduced muscle mass alone , was found to be very prevalent in patients with lung cancer , regardless of body mass index , and where present was associated with poorer functional status and overall survival .
The effect of nutritional supplements and ATP infusions on muscle mass showed conflicting results .
There are very limited data on the correlation between degree of sarcopenia and muscle function , which has a non-linear relationship in older non-cancer population s. CONCLUSIONS Loss of muscle mass is a significant contributor to morbidity in patients with lung cancer .
OBJECTIVES There is growing awareness of the relationship between sarcopenia ( loss of muscle mass and function ) , and outcomes in cancer , making it a potential target for future therapies .
In order to inform future research and practice , we undertook a systematic review of factors associated with loss of muscle mass , and the relationship between muscle function and muscle mass in lung cancer , a common condition associated with poor outcomes .