Long-term postdischarge immunonutrition management in elective colorectal cancer surgery patients an interim analysis of a Chinese multicenter randomised controlled trial

Postoperative malnutrition is prevalent in cancer patients, and enteral nutrition improves short-term outcomes. However, long-term data on post-discharge immunonutrition (IMN) effects on nutritional and immune status in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients after radical surgery are limited. Multicenter, randomized controlled trial (ChiCTR2300071078) across 20 Chinese centers. Screened CRC patients were randomized (2:1) to 30-day post-discharge oral IMN (IMPACT Oral®) or standard nutrition. Primary endpoint: change in prealbumin (ΔPA). Secondary endpoints: changes in albumin, transferrin, BMI, PG-SGA, glucose, lymphocyte count, and immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA). Interim analysis included 563 patients (373 IMN, 190 control; similar demographics). Compared with controls, the IMN group showed significantly greater ΔPA, reduced ΔPG-SGA, and increased Δlymphocyte count, ΔIgG, and ΔIgM (all P<0.05), indicating sustained improvement in nutritional and immune status. Long-term post-discharge oral IMN enhances nutritional status and immune response in CRC patients following radical surgery. www.chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2300071078 4 May 2023.