Effect of Multi-modal Intervention Care on Cachexia in Patients With Advanced Cancer Compared to Conventional Management (MIRACLE)

Background Cancer Cachexia (CC) is a multi-factorial process characterized by progressive weight loss, muscle mass and fat tissue wasting, and adversely affecting their quality of life and survival in patients with advanced stage of cancer. Megestrol acetate (MA), which can help maintain body weight in advanced cancer patients, has not been proven to be effective in improving quality of life or lean body mass. Furthermore, its use is often limited due to various adverse event such as Cushing syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, or thromboembolic risk. CC has a complex and multi-factorial pathophysiology, and there is no established standard treatment. Hypothesis CC is irreversible once it occurs and is also difficult to suppress its progression with any single treatment modality. The investigators hypothesized that a multi-modal intervention comprised of anti-inflammation, omega-3-fatty acids, oral nutritional supplement with counselling by nutritionist, physical exercise, psychiatric intervention as well as Bojungikki-tang which mediates immune-modulation and reverse both of chronic inflammation and wasting condition as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) could prevent the development of CC or improve the CC in advanced cancer patients during chemotherapy compared to those who received usual supportive.