Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Exercise to Boost Immunity in Advanced Cancer

This study, taking place in Sheffield, is investigating whether exercise can help patients with advanced mesothelioma or pancreatic cancer who are having their first treatment. We know exercise can be good for overall health and energy levels in people with cancer. The main goal is to see if it's practical and safe for these patients to exercise during their treatment. Researchers also want to find out if exercise can make their immune system stronger, potentially helping their cancer treatment work better. Patients will do a mix of supervised and unsupervised exercise over three months, with regular checks of their blood.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

Start

01 Sep 2025

Estimated completion

01 Mar 2027

Mesothelioma; Lung Pancreatic Cancer

What is this study about?

This research study is looking at how exercise might help people with certain types of advanced cancer. Specifically, it focuses on patients with mesothelioma or pancreatic cancer who are starting their first course of treatment. We already know that exercise can have many benefits for people with cancer, including improving their general health, helping them feel less tired, and possibly even helping them live longer. This study wants to explore if exercise can also give their immune system a boost, which could potentially make their cancer treatments more effective.

The treatments for these cancers sometimes involve using drugs called immunotherapy, which help your body's own immune system fight cancer. While these drugs can be very helpful for some people, they don't work for everyone. This study aims to see if adding exercise to the treatment plan could make these immunotherapies work better, especially in cancers that are typically harder for the immune system to tackle, like pancreatic cancer.

The main idea is to understand if it's safe and practical for patients to exercise while they are receiving their cancer treatment. The researchers will also be taking blood samples to see if exercise changes certain types of cells and chemicals in the blood that are linked to the immune system. This includes looking for increases in immune cells and other substances that can fight cancer.

Key takeaways

This study explores if exercise can help advanced mesothelioma or pancreatic cancer patients.
It aims to see if exercise boosts their immune system and improves treatment.
Patients will do supervised and unsupervised exercise for three months.
Blood samples will be taken monthly to check immune system changes.
The study takes place in Sheffield and recruits patients new to treatment.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have been diagnosed with advanced mesothelioma or pancreatic cancer. You must be about to start, or already receiving, your very first treatment for your cancer. Doctors will check to make sure you are well enough to take part in exercise, based on your general health and how active you are.

You cannot join if you have already had other cancer treatments, or if you have another type of cancer apart from mesothelioma or pancreatic cancer. You also can't take part if you have certain conditions, like brain or bone tumours that are causing problems, or other health issues that would make exercise unsafe or too difficult for you.

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?
Do you have advanced mesothelioma or pancreatic cancer?
Are you just starting or currently on your first treatment for this cancer?
Are you generally well enough to do some exercise (your doctor will check)?
Have you *not* had previous cancer treatments for this condition?
Do you *not* have other serious health problems that would make exercise unsafe?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will be asked to exercise for three months. This will involve one supervised exercise session each week at a special centre in Sheffield, where you'll do a mix of activities like walking, jogging, or cycling. You'll also be asked to do one unsupervised exercise session at home each week, following guidance given by the study team. Over these three months, you will have blood samples taken at the beginning of the study, and then each month after that. These blood samples will be taken before and after your supervised exercise session to see how your body reacts. The total duration of active participation in the exercise program and blood sampling will be three months.

Potential risks and benefits

The potential benefits of taking part include improving your general health and reducing tiredness, as exercise is known to help with these. Exercise might also boost your immune system, potentially helping your treatment work better, though this is what the study aims to find out. As with any exercise, there's a risk of minor muscle soreness or injury, but supervised sessions aim to minimise this. Your blood will be taken regularly, which carries a small risk of bruising or discomfort. You are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual care.

Locations (2)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Cancer Research Centre at Weston Park Hospital
Verified postcode
Sheffield, United Kingdom
Sheffield Hallam University
Verified postcode
Sheffield, United Kingdom

Common questions

What kind of exercise will I be doing?

You'll do a mix of exercise, including some activities that get your heart rate up, like walking, jogging, or cycling. Some sessions will be supervised, and others you'll do on your own.

How often will I need to exercise?

You'll have one supervised exercise session each week and one unsupervised session at home each week, for a total of three months.

Will I need to travel for the study?

Yes, you'll need to attend the AWRC in Sheffield once a week for your supervised exercise sessions.

Will this study change my cancer treatment?

No, this study is looking at adding exercise alongside your existing first-line cancer treatment. It won't change the treatment plan your doctor has for you.

What are blood samples for?

Blood samples are taken to see how exercise affects your immune system, by looking at different cells and chemicals in your blood.

How to find out more

Brindley Hapuarachi, MD

sbhapuarachchi1@sheffield.ac.uk 07809741940 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.