RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Will a Pre-therapy Exercise Intervention Improve the Outcomes of Patients With Advanced Oesophageal Cancer?

This study aims to understand if an exercise programme before surgery can improve how the immune system in people with advanced oesophageal cancer fights their tumour. Previous research suggests exercise might increase levels of important immune cells, called T cells, within tumours, which are known to be good at destroying cancer cells. The team of experts wants to find out if there's an ideal amount or type of exercise to achieve this. By comparing low and high intensity exercise, they hope to learn how exercise changes the tumour's environment and makes it more responsive to treatment. This could lead to personalised exercise plans to help patients achieve better results from their cancer treatment.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Surrey

Enrolment target

Start

26 Apr 2024

Estimated completion

30 Oct 2028

Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma T Cells Tumor Microenvironment Exercise

What is this study about?

Oesophageal cancer can be very challenging to treat, and doctors are always looking for new ways to make treatments more effective. One promising approach is immunotherapy, which helps your own immune system fight cancer. However, for oesophageal cancer, immunotherapy hasn't always worked as well as hoped, possibly because many of these tumours don't have enough active immune cells inside them to begin with. The researchers believe that finding safe and simple ways to 'wake up' the immune system and bring these important cells into the tumour could make existing treatments work much better.

This study explores if exercise, a simple and low-cost activity, could be that 'wake up call'. We already know that exercise before major surgery can improve a person's fitness and help them recover better. Previous small studies have also suggested that exercise might increase the number and activity of key immune cells in the blood and, importantly, inside tumours. This project builds on earlier work by the team that found people who exercised before surgery for oesophageal cancer had more cancer-fighting immune cells in their tumours.

The main goal of this study is to understand *how* exercise influences the immune system within the tumour. Patients taking part will join a supervised exercise programme while they are having chemotherapy before surgery. Some will do lower-intensity exercise, similar to what’s currently offered in the NHS to prepare for surgery, while others will do higher-intensity exercise. By comparing these two groups, the researchers hope to discover if the intensity of exercise makes a difference in boosting the immune response. This knowledge could help doctors create specially designed exercise plans to improve treatment outcomes for people with advanced oesophageal cancer.

Key takeaways

Exploring if exercise can boost the immune system against oesophageal cancer.
Comparing low and high intensity exercise before surgery.
Aims to improve how regular cancer treatments work.
Could lead to personalised exercise plans for patients.
Study involves supervised exercise and blood/tumour sample analysis.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults who have a specific type of oesophageal cancer called oesophageal adenocarcinoma. You would need to be planning to have chemotherapy first, followed by surgery for your cancer.

You wouldn't be able to join the study if you have any health conditions that stop you from exercising or doing certain fitness tests. Also, if you are pregnant or under 18 years old, you wouldn't be able to take part.

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 an adult aged 18 or over?
Do you have oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
Are you scheduled to have chemotherapy followed by surgery?
Can you safely do some form of exercise?
Are you not pregnant?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will take part in a supervised exercise programme while you are receiving chemotherapy before your surgery. This programme will involve regular exercise sessions tailored to either a lower or higher intensity plan, always under the guidance of specialist staff. The researchers will take blood samples from you at different times – before, during, and after your exercise programme – to check how your immune cells are responding. After your surgery, the tumour tissue that is removed will be used by the research team to carefully examine the types and amounts of immune cells present within it. The duration of your participation will depend on the length of your chemotherapy course and the exercise programme, leading up to your surgery.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer potential benefits, such as improving your fitness levels before surgery and potentially boosting your immune system's response to your cancer. While exercise is generally safe, there are always potential risks, such as muscle soreness or fatigue, which will be carefully managed by the specialist staff guiding your exercise. You will have a thorough check-up to ensure exercise is safe for you. It's important to know that taking part is entirely your choice, and you can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

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

University of Surrey
Verified postcode
Guildford, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is advanced oesophageal cancer?

This refers to oesophageal cancer that has grown into deeper layers or spread locally, but is still considered treatable with chemotherapy and surgery.

What are T cells and why are they important?

T cells are a type of immune cell that can recognise and kill cancer cells. Having more of them in a tumour suggests a stronger fight against the cancer.

Will I have to do very intense exercise?

The study offers both lower and higher intensity exercise programmes. The intensity will be carefully selected for you and supervised to ensure it's safe and beneficial.

Will this exercise replace my cancer treatment?

No, the exercise programme works alongside your standard chemotherapy and surgery. It's designed to potentially make those treatments more effective, not replace them.

What happens if I don't want to exercise?

Participation is completely voluntary. Your medical care will not be affected if you choose not to join the study or if you decide to withdraw at any point.

How to find out more

Jamal Dirie, MD

jd01928@surrey.ac.uk +447944688517 Official trial record

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