Anabolic Response Cancer

Weight loss and muscle wasting commonly occurs in patients with cancer, negatively influencing their quality of life, treatment response and survival. Weight changes in patients with cancer may be the consequence of energy imbalance and disturbances in protein metabolism, poor treatment tolerance, hormonal alterations, systemic inflammation etc. This results in body composition modifications in favor of fat gain and/or lean body mass loss in early stage cancer. However, in advanced cancer mostly loss of both fat mass and lean mass has been found. Unfortunately, gains in muscle mass are difficult to achieve. In a previous study of the Investigators, a bolus (15 g) of an essential amino acid mixture as present in milk protein was able to stimulate whole-body protein anabolism equally and effectively in weight-losing patients with lung cancer. This indicates the high potential of proteins with high essential amino acids as therapeutic agents to increase muscle mass in these patients. However, the dose-response effect to reach optimal whole-body protein anabolism is yet unknown and can differ among patients. Therefore, the Investigators would like to study the effects of several dosages of a protein with high essential amino acid levels, administered by sip feeding, on whole-body protein anabolism in patients with cancer in comparison with healthy older adults. Furthermore, the individual protein requirements of cancer patients may be established as this is the cornerstone of nutritional support. Specifically to establish 'the anabolic threshold', when protein breakdown equals synthesis and the response and the relation between protein intake and net protein synthesis are critical.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion criteria cancer subjects:

* Age 18 years or older
* Ability to lie in supine or elevated position for 8 hours
* Diagnosed with stage III/IV cancer (all solid tumors excluding breast or prostate)
* No chemotherapy/radiotherapy within past month prior to the study day
* Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol

Inclusion criteria healthy subjects:

* Healthy male or female according to the investigator's or appointed staff's judgment
* Age 18 years or older
* Ability to lay in supine or elevated position for 8 hours
* No diagnosis of cancer
* No diagnosis of diabetes
* Willingness and ability to comply with the protocol

Exclusion Criteria all subjects:

* Any condition that may interfere with the definition 'healthy subject' according to the investigator's judgment (for healthy control group only)
* Presence of fever within the last 3 days
* Untreated metabolic diseases including hepatic or renal disorder
* Presence of acute illness or metabolically unstable chronic illness
* BMI of \< 18.5 or ≥ 35 kg/m2 (for healthy control group only)
* Dietary or lifestyle characteristics: Current alcohol or drug abuse, Use of protein or amino acid containing nutritional supplements within 5 days prior to the study day
* Known allergy to milk or milk products
* Failure to give informed consent or Investigator's uncertainty about the willingness or ability of the subject to comply with the protocol requirements
* (Possible) pregnancy
* Any other condition according to the PI or nurse that was found during the screening visit, that would interfere with the study or safety of the patient