Myopenia and Mechanisms of Chemotherapy Toxicity in Older Adults With Colorectal Cancer

This is a prospective cohort study that examines the impact of myopenia on chemotherapy toxicity in overall survival (OS) in older adults with newly diagnosed metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) receiving 5-Fluouracil (5FU)systemic chemotherapy. The study also explores the mediating influence of genetic variation in the association between myopenia and chemotherapy toxicity.

Inclusion criteria

• Newly diagnosed metastatic CRC or newly recognized metastatic recurrence of CRC >= to 3 months (12 weeks) from completion of treatment of non-metastatic CRC.
• Planning to or recently started to undergo undergo immunotherapy and/or 5-FU based chemotherapy as a first line of treatment. 5-FU chemotherapy can be 5-FU alone or in combination with oxaliplatin and/or irinotecan +/- immunotherapy. Capecitabine is also acceptable.
• Estimated life expectancy >= 6 months.
• Patients must be able to comprehend English or Spanish (for questionnaire completion).
• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.
• Patient eligibility is not dependent on BMI or weight. Patients with a significant (+- > 10%) body weight change in the previous 12 months are eligible for this study.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients enrolled on hospice.
• Prior systemic chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (ok if adjuvant chemotherapy completed >= 3 months (12 weeks) prior to this disease disease recurrence and treatment).
• Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents.
• No untreated brain metastases. Patients with treated brain metastases are eligible.
• Patients on or planned to undergo radiation therapy in near future.