"Numerous clinical trials have been conducted to examine the effect
of nutrition support on malnourished cancer patients. Despite these
studies, there are still many misconceptions that remain as to when
to provide nutrition support therapy to these patients. Our current
ability to favorably influence the adverse consequences of malnutrition
in adult patients with a variety of cancers is limited. Nutrient
provision alone is generally not successful and a number of nutrition
support supplements, such as β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate,
EPA and glutamine, are frequently recommended to maintain or
promote repletion of nutritional status. This presentation will review
the recommendations outlined by the A.S.P.E.N. clinical guidelines
for nutrition support therapy during adult anticancer treatment
and the current evidence to support the use of such modalities in
clinical practice."