CAlorie and Protein REstriction PROgram in Barrett's Esophagus Patients (CARE-PRO).

Istituto Oncologico Veneto IRCCS160 enrolled

Overview

The increasing incidence of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC) in several Western countries can be primarily ascribed to risk factors such as obesity, chronic gastroesophageal reflux, dietary habits and alcohol intake. Nevertheless, Barrett's Esophagus (BE), remains the main risk factor for EAC. Several studies supports the role played by the gut microbiota on the modulation of metabolic and immunological pathways. An abnormal state of the microbial ecosystem seems to be involved in the promotion and onset of various diseases, including cancer. Recent studies have shown that diet and lifestyle have an important modulatory role as protective or risk factors for oncological diseases. The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) and the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) released a review of the evidence that emerged from published studies in the field of nutrition and cancer prevention and summarized their findings into 10 recommendations. Several studies have also shown that a moderate caloric and/or protein restriction seems to be able to reduce the risk of neoplastic disease development. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of a lifestyle-oriented intervention on body weight, waist circumference, biomarkers associated with cancer risk, esophageal microbiota composition and adherence to cancer prevention recommendations after 24 months in overweight or obese BE patients. Methods and analysis: Patients are randomly divided into two arms, a control arm (CA) and an interventional arm (IA). The CA receives information about a correct lifestyle to prevent cancer. The IA is involved in the two-year program of moderate caloric and protein restriction. At the time of enrollment, anthropometric measurements will be recorded for each patient and they will be randomized to IA or CA. Blood samples will be obtained from each patient and blood glucose will be determined. Serum metabolic biomarkers will be measured in each serum sample and total proteins will be extracted from fresh frozen esophageal biopsy and will be analyzed to evaluate the insulin signal pathway. To assess esophageal microbiota profiling, total genomic DNA (gDNA) will be extracted from matched fresh frozen biopsy. In order to determine a score of adherence to cancer prevention recommendations, participants will be asked to complete a self-administrated questionnaire reflecting WCRF/AICR recommendations. All the measurements will also occur at the end point, after two years from the enrollment.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

Interventions

Calorie and protein restriction dietBEHAVIORAL

Patient in intervention arm will be given individualized dietary advice on the basis of WCRF/AICR recommendations. The aim of healthy dietary advice will be the reduction of patient's total daily calorie intake up to 600 kcal below their energy requirements and 0.8g of protein/Kg body weight mostly form plant-origin food. Patients, periodically, will meet the dietitian for a 45-minute nutritional counselling session and a trained nurse for a 15-minute health coaching session. Each patient in the IA will be involved in at least three 4-hour cooking classes. Patients in the IA, after a medical/cardiac evaluation to assure their physical ability for exercise, will attend Nordic walking sessions of moderate intensity two times per month during the 24 months of intervention.