Correlation between branched-chain amino acids intake and total lymphocyte count in head and neck cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

Background: Cellular immunity as reflected by total lymphocyte count (TLC) has been proven to be related to overall survival rate cancer patients. Lymphocyte proliferation is regulated, to some extent, by nutritional factor. Branched chain amino acid (BCAA) is documented as one of numerous nutrients that play important role in lymphocyte proliferation through its effect on protein synthesis and DNA replication. Many studies describe the correlation between BCAA and TLC in hepatic cancer patients. This study emphasized the observation of that links in head and neck cancer patients. Methods: Eighty-five subjects were included in final analysis, aged 18–75, mostly male, with head and neck cancer who had not received treatment participated in this cross-sectional study at the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital’s radiation and medical haematology oncology clinic. The BCAAs intake was assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Flow cytometry method was used to quantify TLC. Results: Overall, the subjects’ nutritional status mostly was considered normal, with the median intake of 1505 (800–3040) kcal/day of energy and mean of 73.96 ± 23.39 g/day of protein. Moreover, subjects’ average BCAA intake was 10.92 ± 0.48 g/day. Meanwhile, 17.6% of subjects were found to have low TLC level. From thorough analysis, we did not find a strong correlation between BCAA level and TLC (r = 0.235, p = 0.056). Conclusion: In participants with head and neck cancer who had not received chemoradiotherapy, there is no correlation between BCAA intake and TLC. The contribution of non-BCAA amino acids from dietary sources to lymphocyte proliferation requires further investigation. Trial registration: Retrospectively registered, with clinical trial number NCT05226065 on February 7th 2022.