Chemotherapy intolerance in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: the role of nutritional status

Aykut Turhan; Mehmet Emin Büyükbayram

doi:10.38053/acmj.1855838

Chemotherapy intolerance in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: the role of nutritional status

Abstract

Aims: Chemotherapy intolerance is a significant clinical challenge in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment, affecting treatment delivery, response, and quality of life. This study aimed to assess the association between baseline nutritional indicators and chemotherapy intolerance in patients with metastatic NSCLC receiving first-line paclitaxel-carboplatin chemotherapy. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 82 patients with histologically confirmed metastatic NSCLC treated with first-line paclitaxel-carboplatin chemotherapy were enrolled. Baseline nutritional status was assessed using serum albumin, hemoglobin, body mass index (BMI), and unintentional weight loss measurements. Chemotherapy intolerance was defined as the inability to tolerate the planned chemotherapy regimen, necessitating treatment modification, including dose reduction due to treatment-related toxicity, treatment delays of ≥7 days, or temporary discontinuation because of grade 3-4 adverse events. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of chemotherapy intolerance. Results: Chemotherapy intolerance was observed in 35 patients (42.7%). The chemotherapy-intolerant group had significantly lower median hemoglobin (p<0.001), serum albumin (p=0.001), and BMI (p=0.009) than the chemotherapy-tolerant group. Weight loss (71.4% vs. 36.2%, p=0.002), low serum albumin (<3.5 g/dl, p=0.004), and anemia (p=0.002) were more prevalent in the chemotherapy-intolerant group. In the multivariate analysis, weight loss (odds ratio [OR]=3.28, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-10.03, p=0.039), anemia (OR=4.62, 95% CI: 1.36-15.67, p=0.014), and low serum albumin (OR=5.06, 95% CI: 1.19-21.42, p=0.030) were independently associated with chemotherapy intolerance. Conclusion: Baseline nutritional status, particularly weight loss, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia, is independently associated with chemotherapy intolerance in patients with metastatic NSCLC receiving first-line paclitaxel–carboplatin therapy. These findings highlight the importance of nutritional assessment and support in optimizing chemotherapy and patient outcomes.

Keywords

Thanks

We would like to thank the Editor-in-Chief and the editorial team of the Anatolian Current Medical Journal for their time and consideration of our manuscript. We appreciate the opportunity to submit our work to your respected journal

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Oncology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Aykut Turhan ^*
0000-0002-2535-9816
Türkiye

Mehmet Emin Büyükbayram
0000-0002-5454-7576
Türkiye

Publication Date

March 10, 2026

Submission Date

January 4, 2026

Acceptance Date

February 2, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 8 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1855838

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA94RF43NR

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Turhan, A., & Büyükbayram, M. E. (2026). Chemotherapy intolerance in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: the role of nutritional status. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, 8(2), 224-230. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1855838

AMA

1.Turhan A, Büyükbayram ME. Chemotherapy intolerance in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: the role of nutritional status. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8(2):224-230. doi:10.38053/acmj.1855838

Chicago

Turhan, Aykut, and Mehmet Emin Büyükbayram. 2026. “Chemotherapy Intolerance in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Role of Nutritional Status”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 (2): 224-30. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1855838.

EndNote

Turhan A, Büyükbayram ME (March 1, 2026) Chemotherapy intolerance in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: the role of nutritional status. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8 2 224–230.

IEEE

[1]A. Turhan and M. E. Büyükbayram, “Chemotherapy intolerance in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: the role of nutritional status”, Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 224–230, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.38053/acmj.1855838.

ISNAD

Turhan, Aykut - Büyükbayram, Mehmet Emin. “Chemotherapy Intolerance in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Role of Nutritional Status”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal 8/2 (March 1, 2026): 224-230. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1855838.

JAMA

1.Turhan A, Büyükbayram ME. Chemotherapy intolerance in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: the role of nutritional status. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026;8:224–230.

MLA

Turhan, Aykut, and Mehmet Emin Büyükbayram. “Chemotherapy Intolerance in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Role of Nutritional Status”. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, vol. 8, no. 2, Mar. 2026, pp. 224-30, doi:10.38053/acmj.1855838.

Vancouver

1.Aykut Turhan, Mehmet Emin Büyükbayram. Chemotherapy intolerance in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: the role of nutritional status. Anatolian Curr Med J / ACMJ / acmj. 2026 Mar. 1;8(2):224-30. doi:10.38053/acmj.1855838