Principal Investigator: Baracos, Vickie

Contact Information:
University of Alberta, Department of Oncology
Division of Palliative Medicine, Cross Cancer Institute
11560 University Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta   T6G 1Z2
Tel: 780-432-8232
Fax: 780-450-7700
Email: vickie.baracos@ualberta.ca

Abstract:
Cancer, weight loss and malnutrition evolve together throughout the course of disease progression. Advanced malnutrition is of central importance in palliative and end-of-life care as it is a source of unnecessary suffering that contributes to death in many cancer patients. Cancer-associated malnutrition is well suited for a systematic program of research. Our Emerging Research Team crosses three CIHR themes: biomedical, clinical and social/cultural/population health, enjoining key members of the cancer and nutrition research communities to a common purpose: to unravel the mechanisms of and to devise effective therapies for cancer-associated malnutrition. The NET will specifically focus on multi-centre population–based research defining 1) the prevalence and character of cancer-associated malnutrition, 2) nutrient requirements and nutrient metabolism for major classes of essential nutrients, 3) food-related behaviour 4) psychosocial issues in relation to food and body image and 5) formulae of novel nutritional strategies to improve nutritional status in cancer patients. The activities of the NET will result in a greater understanding of the complex determinants of malnutrition and lead to development of nutritional intervention therapies for advanced cancer patients.