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Colorectal CancerPhase 4omega3NCT00488904

Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Postoperative Complications After Colorectal Surgery

A Phase 4 study testing supportan in people with Colorectal Cancer, run by Aalborg University Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

To discover whether an Omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid/EPA and docosahexaensyre/DHA) enriched nutritional supplement given 7 days preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively may reduce the frequency of postoperative infectious complications defined as: pneumonia, wound infection, urinary tract infection… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Any age
Conditions the study is for
Colorectal Cancer
What is being tested?
supportan
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
148 participants
Where
1 siteDenmark
Study dates
Jun 2007to Feb 2010
Phase
Phase 4
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages Any age
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child, Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Adult patients for elective colorectal resection for cancer, ASA group 1-3 (see annex)

Who cannot join

  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Alcohol consumption > 5 drinks per day
  • Acute operation
  • Non Danish speakers
  • Patients with untreated psychiatric conditions
  • Pregnant or breast-feeding women
Show all 10Show fewer
  • Patients with ICD-pacemaker
  • Patients with reduces kidney function and immunosuppressed patients
  • patients that eat or drink omega-3 fatty acids
  • patients operated for 2 different cancers in 1 operation

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Denmark1 site
  • Aalborg Hospital

    Aalborg, Aalborg, 9000 Aalborg

Other trials in Denmark

About this study

Official title: Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Postoperative Complication After Colorectal Surgery

To discover whether an Omega-3 fatty acid (eicosapentaenoic acid/EPA and docosahexaensyre/DHA) enriched nutritional supplement given 7 days preoperatively and 7 days postoperatively may reduce the frequency of postoperative infectious complications defined as: pneumonia, wound infection, urinary tract infection, peritonitis (including anastomotic leakage) and septic conditions of any cause in patients who undergo elective operations for colorectal cancer compared with a nutritional preparation that is identical apart from the EPA content.

Read the detailed description

Several earlier studies indicate that perioperative supplements of Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of postoperative complications after major surgery through an immune modulating effect in the form of a downward adjustment of the inflammatory response. (1-7) The interpretation of these studies is made more difficult by differences in their method of administration (parentally/enterally), differences in the time of the intervention (preoperative/postoperative) and differences in the selection of patients (malnourished cancer patients / upper GI cancer patients/mixed surgical patients) and finally because many of the studies deal with a so-called immune modulating preparation containing a mixture of arginine, Omega-3 fatty acids and ribonucleic acid.

The biological effects of fish oils are related to their content of such things as Omega-3 fatty acids that can be incorporated in cell membranes where they influence receptor function, enzyme activity and the production of lipid mediators. The cells from the immune system perform their functions through membrane-associated activities like secretion of cytokines, antibodies, lymphocyte transformation and contact lysine. These functions can be affected by changes in the membrane structure. (7;8) Besides the effect parameter of postoperative septic complications, many of these studies use pseudoparameters such as length of stay, need for respirator treatment, time in intensive care as well as a wide range of biochemical changes whose relevance to the clinic process can be difficult to assess. (1-7;9-13;). It is well-known that early enteral nutrition reduces the risk of postoperative complications (14; 15). Many of the aforementioned studies similarly point to a benefit from using Omega-3 fatty acid enriched nutritional preparations preoperatively. There is now a commercially manufactured nutritional preparation for peroral consumption containing Omega-3 fatty acids - Supportan (Fresenius-Kabi). The preparation is more energy intensive than similar drink preparations, but does not otherwise differ in composition from standard preparations. It is approved by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration for this study.

In 2 x 200ml of Supportan 3 g EPA and DHA are given daily. In other studies up to 10 g have been given daily without side effects. (6; 16)

Being tested
supportan, supportan placebo
Keywords
infection, colorectalcancer, omega-3 fedtsyre, complications
Medical subject headings
Colorectal Neoplasms, Infections

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • supportanDietary supplement

    2 sip feed pr. day

  • supportan placeboDietary supplement

    2 sip feed pr. day

Study groups in NCT00488904
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
aExperimentalNot described
Receives: Dietary Supplement: supportan
bPlacebo comparatorNot described
Receives: Dietary Supplement: supportan placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. In previous studies a complication frequency (infectious complications) of at least 30% was found for this type of operation (14; 17) This figure has to be reduced to 10% (MIREDIF = 20%).

    Primary outcome measures are infectious complications after surgery for colorectal cancer defined as: pneumonia, cystitis, wound infection, intraabdominal abscess, peritonitis, septicemia, other infections.

    30 day mortality and other complications such as bleeding, wound dehiscence, anastomotic leakage will also be registered

    Measured: 1 year

Secondary outcomes (4)
  1. The secondary outcome variable is hospitalisation time and mortality. Given the material's size, it is not expected to be possible to demonstrate a significant reduction in mortality

    Measured: 1 year

  2. incorporation of fatty acids in cell membranes

    laboratory test on blood sample (leucocytes

    Measured: after 7 days of intervention

  3. development in interleukins after surgery

    analysis of blood sample

    Measured: day 1-4 after surgery

  4. lenght of stay in hospital

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted20 Jun 2007 (estimated)
  2. Study startJun 2007
  3. Primary completionJan 2010
  4. Study completionFeb 2010

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
148 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00488904
Sponsor's protocol ID
123omega
Other IDs
VN2005/35
Acronym
omega3
Status last verified
Apr 2010
First submitted
19 Jun 2007
Last updated
12 Apr 2010
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Braga M, Gianotti L, Vignali A, Cestari A, Bisagni P, Di Carlo V. Artificial nutrition after major abdominal surgery: impact of route of administration and composition of the diet. Crit Care Med. 1998 Jan;26(1):24-30. doi: 10.1097/00003246-199801000-00012.

    PubMed 9428539
  • Braga M, Gianotti L, Nespoli L, Radaelli G, Di Carlo V. Nutritional approach in malnourished surgical patients: a prospective randomized study. Arch Surg. 2002 Feb;137(2):174-80. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.137.2.174.

    PubMed 11822956
  • Gianotti L, Braga M, Vignali A, Balzano G, Zerbi A, Bisagni P, Di Carlo V. Effect of route of delivery and formulation of postoperative nutritional support in patients undergoing major operations for malignant neoplasms. Arch Surg. 1997 Nov;132(11):1222-9; discussion 1229-30. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.1997.01430350072012.

    PubMed 9366716
  • Schilling J, Vranjes N, Fierz W, Joller H, Gyurech D, Ludwig E, Marathias K, Geroulanos S. Clinical outcome and immunology of postoperative arginine, omega-3 fatty acids, and nucleotide-enriched enteral feeding: a randomized prospective comparison with standard enteral and low calorie/low fat i.v. solutions. Nutrition. 1996 Jun;12(6):423-9. doi: 10.1016/s0899-9007(96)00096-2.

    PubMed 8875537
  • Senkal M, Mumme A, Eickhoff U, Geier B, Spath G, Wulfert D, Joosten U, Frei A, Kemen M. Early postoperative enteral immunonutrition: clinical outcome and cost-comparison analysis in surgical patients. Crit Care Med. 1997 Sep;25(9):1489-96. doi: 10.1097/00003246-199709000-00015.

    PubMed 9295822
  • Tsekos E, Reuter C, Stehle P, Boeden G. Perioperative administration of parenteral fish oil supplements in a routine clinical setting improves patient outcome after major abdominal surgery. Clin Nutr. 2004 Jun;23(3):325-30. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2003.07.008.

    PubMed 15158295
  • Weiss G, Meyer F, Matthies B, Pross M, Koenig W, Lippert H. Immunomodulation by perioperative administration of n-3 fatty acids. Br J Nutr. 2002 Jan;87 Suppl 1:S89-94. doi: 10.1079/bjn2001461.

    PubMed 11895158
  • Wachtler P, Konig W, Senkal M, Kemen M, Koller M. Influence of a total parenteral nutrition enriched with omega-3 fatty acids on leukotriene synthesis of peripheral leukocytes and systemic cytokine levels in patients with major surgery. J Trauma. 1997 Feb;42(2):191-8. doi: 10.1097/00005373-199702000-00004.

    PubMed 9042869
  • Braga M, Vignali A, Gianotti L, Cestari A, Profili M, Di Carlo V. Benefits of early postoperative enteral feeding in cancer patients. Infusionsther Transfusionsmed. 1995 Oct;22(5):280-4. doi: 10.1159/000223143.

    PubMed 8924741
  • Di Carlo V, Gianotti L, Balzano G, Zerbi A, Braga M. Complications of pancreatic surgery and the role of perioperative nutrition. Dig Surg. 1999;16(4):320-6. doi: 10.1159/000018742.

    PubMed 10449977
  • Heslin MJ, Latkany L, Leung D, Brooks AD, Hochwald SN, Pisters PW, Shike M, Brennan MF. A prospective, randomized trial of early enteral feeding after resection of upper gastrointestinal malignancy. Ann Surg. 1997 Oct;226(4):567-77; discussion 577-80. doi: 10.1097/00000658-199710000-00016.

    PubMed 9351723
  • McCarter MD, Gentilini OD, Gomez ME, Daly JM. Preoperative oral supplement with immunonutrients in cancer patients. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 1998 Jul-Aug;22(4):206-11. doi: 10.1177/0148607198022004206.

    PubMed 9661120
  • Beier-Holgersen R, Boesby S. Influence of postoperative enteral nutrition on postsurgical infections. Gut. 1996 Dec;39(6):833-5. doi: 10.1136/gut.39.6.833.

    PubMed 9038665
  • Beier-Holgersen R, Brandstrup B. Influence of early postoperative enteral nutrition versus placebo on cell-mediated immunity, as measured with the Multitest CMI. Scand J Gastroenterol. 1999 Jan;34(1):98-102. doi: 10.1080/00365529950172907.

    PubMed 10048740
  • Meydani SN. Effect of (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids on cytokine production and their biologic function. Nutrition. 1996 Jan;12(1 Suppl):S8-14.

    PubMed 8850212

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing supportan in people with Colorectal Cancer, run by Aalborg University Hospital at 1 site in Denmark.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 12 Apr 2010. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Denmark. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

In previous studies a complication frequency (infectious complications) of at least 30% was found for this type of operation (14; 17) This figure has to be reduced to 10% (MIREDIF = 20%). (time frame: 1 year). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00488904, which also lists 20 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 12 Apr 2010.

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