Exercise to Prevent AnthraCycline-based Cardio-Toxicity Study 2.0 (EXACT2)
If you have breast cancer, you might receive chemotherapy drugs that are very good at treating cancer but can sometimes affect your heart. This study, called EXACT2, is looking into whether a home-based exercise plan can help protect your heart from these potential side effects. We know exercise is generally good for the heart, and initial smaller studies have shown that exercising during chemotherapy is safe. This research aims to find out if a 12-week exercise programme can actually prevent or reduce damage to the heart caused by certain chemotherapy drugs, without stopping the cancer treatment from doing its job. It's about finding ways to keep you as healthy as possible during and after your cancer treatment.
At a glance
What is this study about?
When you're being treated for breast cancer, doctors use powerful medicines to fight the illness. Some of these medicines, like a group called anthracyclines, are very effective, but they can sometimes affect your heart. While these treatments are vital for fighting cancer, researchers are always looking for ways to protect other parts of your body at the same time. This is because, even though treatments are getting better, some people might have heart problems later on, which can be a serious concern.
We already know that regular exercise is fantastic for keeping your heart healthy. Studies in laboratory settings have suggested that exercise might help protect the heart from damage. However, we need to find out if this is true for people receiving breast cancer treatment. This study follows on from earlier research that showed it's safe and possible for women with breast cancer to do a 12-week exercise programme while having chemotherapy.
The main goal of this study is to see if a specific 12-week exercise programme, which you can do at home, can help reduce or prevent any heart problems caused by your chemotherapy. We will be looking to see if exercise helps keep your heart strong and working well during your treatment. It's all about finding the best combination of treatments and supportive care to help you recover well and stay healthy in the long term.
Key takeaways
- Study looks at exercise to protect the heart during breast cancer chemotherapy.
- Aims to reduce heart damage from certain chemotherapy drugs (anthracyclines).
- Involves a 12-week exercise plan done at home.
- Will not interfere with your cancer treatment.
- Eligibility includes women 18+ with early-stage breast cancer, about to start specific chemotherapy.
- Requires medical clearance from a heart specialist to ensure exercise is safe.
Who may be eligible?
To be part of this study, you need to be a woman aged 18 or over. You must have been diagnosed with breast cancer (stages 1 to 3) and be about to start chemotherapy that includes a specific type of drug called anthracyclines.
You also need to be able to do a 12-week exercise programme at home and have your heart checked by a heart specialist (cardiologist) to make sure it's safe for you to exercise. This might involve a special test that sees how your heart works when you're active.
Unfortunately, you can't join the study if you have severe memory or thinking problems, or if there's another medical reason that would make exercise unsafe for you. The study is specifically for women, as the treatment and condition being studied are related to female breast cancer.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Have you been diagnosed with breast cancer (stages 1-3) and not started treatment yet?
- Are you scheduled to have chemotherapy that includes anthracycline drugs?
- Are you able to do a 12-week exercise programme at home?
- Has a heart specialist said it's safe for you to exercise?
What does participation involve?
If you join this study, you will take part in a 12-week exercise program that you can do at home. Before starting, you'll have checks by a heart specialist to make sure it's safe for you to exercise. Throughout the study, there will be assessments to check your heart health and overall well-being. These might include scans or other tests to see how your heart is responding to the chemotherapy and exercise.
You won't be given any new medication as part of this study – it's all about the exercise. You will continue with your planned breast cancer chemotherapy as normal. The total duration of your active involvement in the exercise program will be 12 weeks, with follow-up appointments to track your heart health over time. Specific details about the frequency of visits and assessments will be explained by the study team.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (2)
- St. Boniface HospitalVerified postcodeWinnipeg, Canada
- QEII Health Sciences CentreVerified postcodeHalifax, Canada
Common questions
What kind of exercise will I be doing?
You will be doing a 12-week exercise programme that focuses on activities that raise your heart rate, which you can mostly do at home.
Will this exercise interfere with my chemotherapy?
No, the study aims to find ways to protect your heart without affecting how well your chemotherapy works against cancer.
Do I need to be a very fit person to join?
You don't need to be very fit, but you must be able to do the exercise programme, and a heart specialist will check if it's safe for you.
What happens if I feel unwell during the study?
The study team will explain who to contact if you have any concerns or feel unwell during your participation.
Will my information be kept private?
Yes, all your personal and medical information will be kept confidential and used only for research purposes, following strict privacy rules.
How to find out more
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Discussion
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