Impact of whey protein supplementation as adjuvant therapy on malnourished cancer patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

The best pharmacological treatments and dietary regimens for cancer continue to be a problem for public health. In the scientific field of oncology, whey protein WP is frequently used as a dietary strategy. The goal of the current meta-analysis is to ascertain the positive impact of WP supplements on cancer patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify RCTs that investigated WP in cancer patients. Cochrane Database of Clinical Trials, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar and WOS with no language restrictions for relevant studies.

Reports were fully assessed based on the inclusion criteria found only 23. Only four studies were included in the systematic review and meta‐analysis. Body weight and weight change showed the difference was significantly favoring the whey protein arm at 12 weeks (MD = 1.41 [0.14, 2.69]). BMI and change in BMI, lean tissue mass and increase in lean tissue mass showed nonsignificant differences throughout follow-up. Handgrip strength and change in handgrip strength showed significantly higher in the whey-treated arm after 3 and 6 months (MD = 3.11 [1.45, 4.78], 1.04 [− 0.55, 2.63], respectively. Whey protein significantly decreased the hematological toxicity of chemotherapy (RR = 0.55 [0.30, 0.98]) compared to the control group However, gastrointestinal toxicity was not reduced with whey protein treatment (RR = 0.58 [0.19, 1.79]).

In malnourished cancer patients undergoing Chemotherapy supplementation with WP may improve body weight, and handgrip strength and reduce Chemotherapy toxicity, which may lead to improved treatment efficacy.