Impact of HMB Supplementation on Inflammation and Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer

Recruiting now · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Head and Neck Cancers

In brief

Cancer patients undergoing surgery are at high risk of malnutrition due to the effects of the tumor and surgical stress, which can lead to worse clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the impact of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation on inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes in patients with malignant tumors of the upper airways and digestive tract undergoing surgery. This is a randomized, double-blind clinical trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention (3 g/day of HMB) or control (3 g/day of maltodextrin) for 30 days prior to surgery. Initial assessments will include nutritional status, muscle strength, quadriceps muscle thickness by ultrasound, and laboratory tests. Postoperative clinical outcomes will be monitored through electronic medical records.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07675421

Run by

Federal University of Minas Gerais

People needed

66

Starts

2026-08-01

Expected to finish

2027-11-30

Last updated by the study team

2026-06-30

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Individuals aged 18 years or older;
• Both sexes (male and female);
• Patients treated at the outpatient clinic for head and neck carcinoma;
• Indication for potentially curative tumor resection surgery.

You may not qualify if…

• Diagnosis of cancer of the face, skin, paranasal sinuses, or thyroid;
• Undergoing neoadjuvant or palliative treatment;
• Cognitive or intellectual impairment that may hinder proper understanding of the study;
• Refusal to participate or to sign the informed consent form.

Where it is running

• School of Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais — Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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