Danone and Resilience to provide promising nutrition support for cancer patients

11 Jan 2024 --- Danone is partnering with Resilience — a remote patient care solution — to develop a “first of its kind” nutrition and oncology module to help tackle cancer-related malnutrition, which research notes affects many cancer patients. The new module is integrated into Resilience’s digital oncology healthcare solution.

A recent Danone-commissioned survey reveals that a large share of European cancer patients report nutritional problems, including loss of appetite, dry mouth and nausea. Often, these symptoms lead to weight loss and malnutrition, which can disrupt treatment and impact the overall quality of life, recovery and treatment outcomes. 

“We are proud to partner with Resilience and share all we have learned over the years about the role of nutrition in cancer,” says Katrien van Laere, senior VP of R&I and Medical Nutritional Science for Danone. 

“With partnerships like these, we hope to contribute to patient well-being and better outcomes for everyone impacted by cancer daily. We are excited Resilience is expanding its digital oncology solutions with evidence-based nutrition modules and screening tools.”

Digital health solution 
The partnership will combine Danone’s expertise on the role of nutrition in illness and health with Resilience’s digital solutions for patient care, driving digital healthcare transition. Researchers and medical experts at Danone will share findings from peer-reviewed clinical research, scientific literature and other resources on nutrition during cancer. 

This comprehensive patient care solution combines a platform used by healthcare professionals and a mobile app for cancer patients to help manage treatment-related side effects through patient monitoring and tools. 

“We are pleased to partner with Danone to combine our expertise in remote patient care with their knowledge of cancer and nutrition,” shares Dr. Charles Ferté, chief medical and patient officer of Resilience. “This project is completely in line with the holistic approach of Resilience and our aim to redefine patient care and to personalize the care pathway.”

Malnutrition screening 
Through the partnership with Danone, Resilience aims to improve cancer-related malnutrition care by supporting healthcare professionals to achieve better patient outcomes. 

The company offers tools and educational materials to detect patients’ vulnerabilities by helping medical professionals understand, screen and address malnutrition. For example, with Resilience’s digital health solution, healthcare staff can detect a patient’s risk of malnutrition and take action to address it. 

“We intend to improve cancer-related malnutrition care by supporting healthcare professionals in the early detection of nutrition issues and in empowering patients to achieve better outcomes,” explains Ferté. “In patient care, this is the first time we address patients’ vulnerabilities early on to increase treatment adherence.” 

Danone and Resilience join forces to help tackle cancer-related malnutrition.The company’s mobile app allows patients to monitor and manage their nutritional status during cancer treatment and recovery. Moreover, in the app, Resilience provides assets to answer patient questions about eating and managing symptoms through personalized articles, expert interviews, patient testimonials and a podcast series. 

Last December, Resilience launched its nutrition pilot in France for all patients using the app. The company aims to expand to more users and geographies in the coming months and years. 

Nutritional advice 
Highlighting the importance of good nutrition, Danone North America shared a new study last year, which indicates that US citizens equate the economy and access to healthcare with access to nutritious food. The study also suggested that a quarter of citizens did not hold a positive outlook on the future of nutrition and food security. 

Although patient access to nutrition information and support is limited, research shows that a majority of patients with cancer consider nutrition crucial in treatment and recovery. Many patients struggle to find advice when they experience weight loss or have eating problems. 

Danone underscores the importance of patient access to credible and timely nutrition advice to support their treatment outcomes. 

Its survey also indicates that access to nutritional information during treatment is irregular. Several respondents say they have not received help or nutritional advice, and many do their research. 

Recently, scientists found promising results for AI chatbots to provide personalized nutrition information, though they warn that information offered for medical patients is “not professional enough.” 

By Jolanda van Hal