The Association Between Body Composition and Chemotherapy-Induced Toxicity in Pancreatic Cancer: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND

The role of body composition, specifically sarcopenia and adiposity, in predicting chemotherapy toxicities and outcomes in non-metastatic pancreatic cancer remains unclear. This review assesses the association between body composition metrics and chemotherapy-related outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review of studies examining body composition via CT imaging in non-metastatic pancreatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy was conducted. Six studies met inclusion criteria, evaluating sarcopenia in relation to chemotherapy toxicities.

RESULTS

Two studies found a significant association between body composition indices and chemotherapy toxicities. There was no clear association with survival outcomes. No clear link with surgical complications was observed. Methodological variations, including chemotherapy regimens, sarcopenia definitions and body composition assessment techniques, contributed to heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

This review highlights inconsistencies in body composition's role in predicting chemotherapy toxicities and outcomes in pancreatic cancer. Variability in study methodologies complicated comparisons. Standardising body composition analysis with attention to ethnic variations and treatment types is essential for refining personalised treatment strategies in pancreatic cancer.