Sarcopenia and severe toxicity in older adults with advanced cancer: secondary analysis
In this secondary analysis of 161 older adults with advanced cancer in the usual care arm, sarcopenia defined by reduced strength and muscle quantity was associated with severe treatment toxicity and mortality. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Sarcopenia here required both reduced strength (chair stand over 16.7 seconds for five rises) and reduced muscle quantity. [1]
Among 161 participants, 57% (91/161) met sarcopenia criteria, and 59% of those (54/91) were considered severe. [1]
The analysis used only the 161 participants in the usual care arm with baseline standard-of-care CT scans. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial (abstract)
- Population / context
- Older adults aged 70 or older with advanced cancer starting a new treatment regimen, recruited from community oncology practices in the United States.
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- October 1, 2026
Sarcopenia definition in 161 older cancer patients
The source describes sarcopenia as a loss of muscle strength, quantity and performance, occurring mainly from ageing or secondary to disease. Here sarcopenia required both reduced strength (chair stand over 16.7 seconds for five rises) and reduced muscle quantity (skeletal muscle index). Participants were 70 or older with advanced cancer starting a new treatment regimen, recruited from community oncology practices in the United States.
Supporting source [1]
Sarcopenia linked to severe toxicity and mortality
Of 161 participants (mean age 76.6 years; 61% male; 94% non-Hispanic white), 57% (91/161) met the sarcopenia criteria, and 59% of those (54/91) were considered severe. Sarcopenia was associated with deficits in several geriatric assessment domains, including nutrition, activities of daily living, instrumental activities and cognition. Treatment toxicity was assessed with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0.
Supporting source [1]
Usual care arm only; abstract-level limits
This was a secondary analysis of data from a randomized clinical trial of a geriatric assessment intervention (NCT02054741). It analysed only the 161 participants in the usual care arm who had baseline standard-of-care computed tomography scans. The conclusion states that sarcopenia is associated with severe toxicity and mortality; these are associations, not proven causes. Only the abstract was reviewed, so the full text was not reviewed.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. This is a secondary analysis of one trial arm (usual care), with 161 participants, and reports associations rather than causes.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Mattick LJ, Mohammed M, Li CS, Tylock RG, Loh KP, Flannery MA, Peppone LJ, Lin PJ, Goncalves MD, Caan BJ, Cespedes Feliciano EM, Popuri K, Beg MF, Bearden JD, Berenberg J, Katato K, Mustian KM, Mohile SG, Dunne RF. · europepmc.org · October 1, 2026