Abstract
Evidence to support the development of practice guidelines on nutrition interventions during active cancer treatment is limited despite the established role of nutrition in cancer prevention and long-term survivorship. To address this gap, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) funded the Exercise and Nutrition Interventions to Improve Cancer Treatment-Related Outcomes (ENICTO) research consortium. This manuscript focuses on the nutrition-specific work within the ENICTO Consortium. We present a conceptual framework describing how nutritional interventions may enhance cancer treatment tolerance and timely completion of chemotherapy. We also describe how each ENICTO research project selected specific nutrition-related data items and collection methods to test hypotheses outlined in the conceptual framework. Research and consortium-wide projects are described in relation to advancing the scientific rigor of research in the field, including the standardization of nutrition assessment tools and measures. We conclude with a call to action for further research to support the development of evidence-based oncology nutrition practice guidelines relevant to the treatment period within the cancer continuum.