The IAEA is launching a new five-year coordinated research project on how to improve nutrition and clinical outcomes for patients receiving radiotherapy. By exploring how radiotherapy affects body composition and clinical outcomes, this project will provide guidance for cancer centres to implement supportive care programmes.
With studies indicating that 20 to 40 percent of cancer deaths stem from malnutrition rather than cancer itself, supporting the nutritional health of patients will be crucial for enhancing their survival.
Cancer remains a major global health issue, accounting for nearly 17 per cent of deaths worldwide. People in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are especially affected as access to radiation therapy - a common treatment for many types of cancers - is often limited or unavailable.
The IAEA launched its Rays of Hope initiative in 2022 to improve access to cancer care where it is needed most. However, while radiotherapy can be curative, it can lead to changes in body composition - the proportion of fat, muscle, bone and other tissues in the body - such as muscle loss during the treatment of some type of tumours.
"Emerging evidence, primarily from high-income countries, suggests that treatment-related body composition changes are associated with poorer clinical outcomes - including increased toxicity, treatment interruptions and reduced survival," said Tomoaki Tamaki, Head of Applied Radiation Biology and Radiotherapy in the IAEA Division of Human Health.
"Limited data notably exist from low- and middle-income countries where cancer patients often face additional barriers to care and experience worse outcomes," added Cornelia Loechl, Head of Nutritional and Health-related Environmental Studies in the IAEA Division of Human Health. "To secure sustainable investments in nutritional care for cancer patients, greater awareness and understanding of proven clinical and economic benefits are essential."
The new coordinated research project (CRP) will generate context-specific evidence to help integrate nutritional support into oncological care. Specific research objectives include:
- Evaluating the impact of radiotherapy on body composition and energy expenditure using nuclear nutrition techniques.
- Exploring causative factors related to body composition changes in patients undergoing radiotherapy.
- Understanding the impact that body composition has on clinical, functional and patient-reported outcomes for patients receiving radiotherapy.
- Determining the efficacy and feasibility of body composition assessments in detecting the loss of muscle mass and strength (sarcopenia) among patients receiving radiotherapy.
How to join this CRP
This CRP is open to all Member Countries. Research contracts will be awarded to LMICs and research agreements are open to high-income countries. Participating institutions must meet the eligibility criteria outlined under the "Related resources" section.
Research institutions interested in joining the CRP must submit their Proposal for Research Contract or Agreement by email, no later than 31 July 2025, to the IAEA's
