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Diet and Nutrition Approaches to Support Cancer Patients Post-Acute Active Treatment

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2026 | Viewed by 6821

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Furness Kate

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
Interests: upper gastrointestinal cancers; pancreatic; oesophageal; gastric; nutrition; malnutrition; mixed methods
Dr. Brenton Baguley

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
Interests: prostate cancer; cancer survivorship; body composition; mediterranean diet; exercise; nutrition intervention; health services

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer treatment-related side effects can range from acute to chronic, which collectively reduce quality of life. The high prevalence of malnutrition and muscle loss in some tumour streams (i.e., upper gastrointestinal and head and neck) require early identification, referral and management from nutrition and other allied health services to prevent poor clinical outcomes occurring. Acutely post-treatment cancer patients are often faced with ongoing side effects from treatment, fear of cancer relapse, and other physical, emotional, financial and social concerns. Improving the access and availability of nutrition and other allied health services to patients after cancer treatment is paramount to improving quality of life. 

This Special Issue on the “Diet and Nutrition Approaches to Support Cancer Patients Post-Acute Active Treatment” will focus on all aspects regarding the acute management of people who have completed their cancer treatment. Researchers are invited to submit original research articles using any study design, including case studies, cross-sectional studies, implementation or interventional studies, cohort studies, and reviews and meta-analyses. We aim to publish a wide range of papers in this Special Issue and encourage you to submit your research. Additionally, we ask that you please share this announcement with any colleagues you think may be interested.

Dr. Furness Kate
Dr. Brenton Baguley
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • diet
  • nutrition
  • nutrition and exercise
  • cancer
  • cancer survivors
  • malnutrition
  • long-term follow-up
  • nutrition impact symptoms
  • long-term nutrition screening
  • quality of life
  • long-term survival

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2282 KB  
Article
Retrospective Analysis of the Impact of a Dietitian and the Canadian Nutrition Screening Tool in a Geriatric Oncology Clinic
by Harriet Ho, Linda Cerullo, Rana Jin, Susie Monginot and Shabbir M. H. Alibhai
Nutrients 2025, 17(9), 1591; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091591 - 6 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1477
Abstract
Introduction: Canada’s aging population is leading to an increased number of older adults being diagnosed with cancer. This population faces unique challenges, including frailty, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and malnutrition, which can negatively affect treatment outcomes. The role of registered dietitians (RDs) in managing nutrition-related [...] Read more.
Introduction: Canada’s aging population is leading to an increased number of older adults being diagnosed with cancer. This population faces unique challenges, including frailty, comorbidities, polypharmacy, and malnutrition, which can negatively affect treatment outcomes. The role of registered dietitians (RDs) in managing nutrition-related issues in this population is well-documented, but there is limited research on their integration into geriatric oncology clinics. We evaluated the impact of integrating a registered dietitian (RD) into the Older Adult with Cancer Clinic (OACC) at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of older adult cancer patients seen at the OACC, comparing outcomes before and after the RD’s integration. The focus was on weight characteristics and change, malnutrition screening/identification, and management. The two-item Canadian Nutrition Screening Tool (CNST) was introduced during the RD’s integration and was also examined to see its usefulness in identifying malnutrition risk. Chi-squared tests and t-tests were used for data analysis. Results: The pre-cohort (n = 140) had a mean age of 80.2 years, 48.6% female, and 77.9% vulnerable (Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) ≥ 3). The post-cohort (n = 117) had a mean age of 81.4 years, 59.8% female, and 80.3% vulnerable (VES-13 ≥ 3). Weight change within 3 ± 1 months after the initial OACC consult was similar between pre and post groups with −1.4 kg and −1.2 kg, respectively (p = 0.77). Patients at nutritional risk, as determined by the OACC team, generated significantly more referrals to the RD in the post group (100% vs. 36.4%, p < 0.001). Among patients who had CNST screening and saw the RD, there was a higher rate of high nutrition risk among CNST-positive compared to CNST-negative patients (67.2% versus 44.4%, respectively). After the integration of the RD, a greater number of patients at nutritional risk received nutritional education and referrals to other healthcare professionals (43 versus 1). Conclusions: The integration of an RD into the OACC led to improved referral rates, nutritional education, and referrals to other healthcare professionals. Moreover, patients who were CNST positive were more likely to have high nutritional risk. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutrition Approaches to Support Cancer Patients Post-Acute Active Treatment)
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Review

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45 pages, 5582 KB  
Review
Modulation of Gut Microbiota Through Dietary Fibers to Enhance Regulatory T Cell-Based Immunotherapy in GVHD Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
by Melika Asayesh, Ata Nazarzadeh, Sanaz Jamshidi, Shayan Keramat, Ireneusz Ryszkiel and Agata Stanek
Nutrients 2026, 18(8), 1216; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18081216 - 12 Apr 2026
Viewed by 508
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the principal complications seen in the recipients of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), and persists as a leading cause of post-transplant morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence highlights the crucial influence of the gut microbiome (GM) on [...] Read more.
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is one of the principal complications seen in the recipients of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), and persists as a leading cause of post-transplant morbidity and mortality. Increasing evidence highlights the crucial influence of the gut microbiome (GM) on transplant outcomes. Microbial dysbiosis, characterized by reduced bacterial diversity and pathogenic overgrowth, is strongly associated with higher rates of complications and mortality. Patients with lower microbial diversity exhibit poorer overall survival (OS) and an increased incidence of acute GVHD (aGVHD). Conversely, restoration of beneficial commensal communities has been shown to enhance immune homeostasis, mitigate GVHD severity, and decrease infection risk. Emerging therapeutic strategies now focus on modulating the intestinal microbiome through dietary interventions, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). It has been demonstrated that bacterial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from the diet, especially a diet rich in fibers, reduce the occurrence/severity of GVHD by inducing regulatory T cells (Tregs), which release anti-inflammatory cytokines and regulate the host immune system. Hence, the implementation of dietary fibers (DFs) could increase beneficial commensals, Treg induction, and improve outcomes such as GVHD and OS in recipients of allo-HCT. Hereupon, this review addresses how a fiber-rich diet modulates GM composition, reinforces epithelial barrier integrity, and improves the efficacy of Treg-based immunotherapy by stabilizing their regulatory phenotype and increasing their functional persistence, ultimately leading to a reduction in GI complications associated with GVHD. Unlike prior reviews that primarily cover the microbiome–GVHD axis or Treg therapies in isolation, this review emphasizes fermentable dietary fibers as a mechanistically grounded, clinically actionable strategy to support Treg stability and persistence via microbiota-derived metabolites. We integrate mechanistic evidence with emerging clinical feasibility data and ongoing trials of prebiotic supplementation in allogeneic HSCT. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutrition Approaches to Support Cancer Patients Post-Acute Active Treatment)
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12 pages, 216 KB  
Review
Malnutrition, Skeletal Muscle Loss and Mucosal Toxicity in Head and Neck Cancer: Nutritional Targets Beyond Energy Replacement
by Réka Fritz, Zoltán Tóbiás, Zsófia Bere and Péter Fritz
Nutrients 2026, 18(5), 737; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18050737 - 25 Feb 2026
Viewed by 392
Abstract
Head and neck cancer represents one of the most nutritionally vulnerable oncologic populations, driven by tumor-related functional impairment, treatment toxicities, and complex metabolic alterations. Malnutrition and skeletal muscle loss are highly prevalent at diagnosis and frequently worsen during therapy, impairing treatment tolerance, functional [...] Read more.
Head and neck cancer represents one of the most nutritionally vulnerable oncologic populations, driven by tumor-related functional impairment, treatment toxicities, and complex metabolic alterations. Malnutrition and skeletal muscle loss are highly prevalent at diagnosis and frequently worsen during therapy, impairing treatment tolerance, functional status, and clinical outcomes. This narrative review synthesizes clinical and mechanistic evidence on the interrelated roles of malnutrition, low skeletal muscle mass, mucosal toxicity, and systemic inflammation across the perioperative, definitive treatment, and post-acute recovery phases. Particular emphasis is placed on the limitations of body mass index-based assessment and the importance of integrating validated screening tools with context-appropriate phenotypic evaluation of muscle depletion. Beyond conventional energy replacement, we examine the evidence supporting perioperative immunonutrition, discuss the contextual limitations of immune-modulating strategies during chemoradiotherapy, and consider emerging adjunctive metabolic approaches. Mucositis is conceptualized not only as a local toxicity but also as a contributor to reduced intake and inflammation-driven catabolism. The post-treatment phase is highlighted as a critical period for continued monitoring of body composition and functional recovery. Collectively, the available evidence supports a shift from weight-centered nutritional paradigms toward an integrated, body composition-oriented and inflammation-aware framework for supportive care in head and neck oncology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutrition Approaches to Support Cancer Patients Post-Acute Active Treatment)

Other

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32 pages, 1131 KB  
Systematic Review
The Effect of Nutrition Impact Symptoms on Nutrition Status After Completion of Curative-Intent Treatment for Gastric, Oesophageal, and Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review
by Emma McShane, Lauren Hanna, Carmel Zoanetti, Lisa Murnane, Brenton Baguley and Kate Furness
Nutrients 2025, 17(16), 2691; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17162691 - 20 Aug 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3741
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Gastric, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers are common worldwide, with low but improving survival rates due to advances in curative treatments. However, these treatments often cause long-term nutrition impact symptoms that are frequently overlooked, leading to malnutrition and poorer health outcomes. This [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Gastric, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers are common worldwide, with low but improving survival rates due to advances in curative treatments. However, these treatments often cause long-term nutrition impact symptoms that are frequently overlooked, leading to malnutrition and poorer health outcomes. This review explored the types of nutrition impact symptoms following curative-intent treatment for upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers and assessed their impact on nutrition status. Methods: A systematic search of four electronic databases identified studies involving adults treated with curative intent for UGI cancers. Included studies reported both nutrition impact symptoms and nutrition outcomes using validated tools. Study quality was assessed, and results were synthesised narratively. Results: Eleven studies (n = 953 participants), predominantly from the Asia–Pacific region, met the inclusion criteria. Participants were mostly male (68%), with surgery as the primary treatment (91%). Most studies (n = 10) used validated assessment tools to identify nutrition impact symptoms. Reflux was the most commonly reported symptom (n = eight studies), followed by abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Nutrition status was assessed using various validated tools: Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (n = six studies, 55%), Mini Nutritional Assessment (n = two studies, 18%), and Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition as well as Subjective Global Assessment and Prognostic Nutritional Index (both n = one study, 9%). Malnutrition prevalence was up to 87% one year post-treatment. Conclusions: Nutrition impact symptoms are common and persistent after curative-intent treatment for UGI cancers. Future research should incorporate validated assessment tools and extend follow-up beyond 12 months. Integrating long-term, tailored dietetic support to identify and manage symptoms post-treatment is vital to improve outcomes for patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diet and Nutrition Approaches to Support Cancer Patients Post-Acute Active Treatment)
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