RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Exercise to Improve Outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer

This study is for adults preparing for surgery for suspected pancreatic cancer. It's called ExO-PanC, which stands for Exercise to Improve Outcomes in Pancreatic Cancer. Participants will follow a personalised exercise programme that includes aerobic exercise and strength training. This program starts before surgery, continues while in the hospital, and after going home, right up until they begin chemotherapy. The main goal is to find out if this exercise program is practical and if people can stick to it. Researchers will look at how many people join, how well they follow the exercise plan, and if they complete the study. Later, if this study goes well, it could lead to a larger study to see if the exercise program truly helps patients recover better and improves their overall health after surgery.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University of Surrey

Enrolment target

Start

06 Jul 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jun 2030

Pancreas Adenocarcinoma (MSI-H)Deconditioning

What is this study about?

When someone needs major surgery for pancreatic cancer, like a Whipple's procedure, it can be a really big deal for their body. It often means they become less fit, their recovery might be slower, and it can even make it harder to start other important treatments like chemotherapy afterwards. We know that exercise can often help people recover from surgery, but we don't yet know if a specific exercise programme, designed just for them and used all the way through their treatment journey, is something that works well for patients and can be put into practice.

That's where the ExO-PanC study comes in. It's looking at a personalised exercise programme for adults who are going to have surgery for suspected pancreatic cancer. This means the exercise plan will be made just for you, based on your fitness levels. You'd start exercising before your operation, continue while you're in hospital, and then carry on after you go home, right up until when you're due to start chemotherapy. The exercises would include things like walking, cycling, or swimming (aerobic exercise) and strength training to build muscle.

This first study is mainly about figuring out if this exercise programme is well-received and practical. For example, can we find enough people to join? Do they stick to the exercise plan? And do they stay in the study until the end? If this 'feasibility' study shows that the programme can work, then the information we gather will help us design a much bigger study in the future. That larger study would then try to prove whether the ExO-PanC programme definitely helps people recover better, has fewer problems, and generally improves their quality of life.

Key takeaways

This study explores a personalised exercise programme for pancreatic cancer surgery patients.
The exercise starts before surgery, continues in hospital, and after discharge until chemotherapy.
It aims to see if this type of exercise programme is practical and acceptable to patients.
Exercises include aerobic activity and strength training, adjusted for your fitness.
If successful, this study will help design a larger trial to confirm health benefits.
You can stop participating at any time without affecting your medical care.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults who are 18 years or older. You would need to be planning to have a specific type of surgery called a Whipple's procedure for what doctors think might be pancreatic cancer.

To join, you must be able to understand the study and agree to take part by signing a consent form. It's also important that you can understand instructions in English.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you're not fit enough to do the exercise programme, or if you have certain heart or lung conditions that mean you can't safely do a specific fitness test. Also, if you've recently been diagnosed with Type 1 or a certain type of Type 3c diabetes that needs insulin, 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 18 years old or older?
Are you planning to have Whipple's surgery for suspected pancreatic cancer?
Can you understand information in English and give your consent?
Are you able to do some physical activity?
Have you *not* had a recent diagnosis of Type 1 or insulin-dependent Type 3c diabetes?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in the ExO-PanC study, you'll be giving us information over several months. You would have your fitness level checked initially, which helps us create your personal exercise plan. This plan will include a mix of aerobic exercise (like walking) and strength training, tailored to you. You'd start exercising before your surgery, continue while you're in the hospital with guidance, and then carry on at home after discharge until you start chemotherapy.

Throughout the study, you'll have regular check-ups to see how your fitness is improving. We'll also ask about your health and how you're feeling, sometimes called your quality of life. We might also collect some samples, like blood, stool, or a small piece of tissue from your surgery, to help us understand more about how exercise affects your body. The total time you would be involved in the study would depend on your individual treatment plan, but it would cover the time leading up to your surgery, your hospital stay, and the period after you go home until chemotherapy begins.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could offer some benefits, such as potentially improving your physical fitness, which might help your recovery from surgery and your overall well-being. However, there's no guarantee this exercise program will directly improve your health outcomes or prevent complications. As with any exercise program, there's always a small risk of muscle soreness or mild injury, especially if you're not used to exercising. However, the plan is tailored to your fitness level to keep risks as low as possible. You are absolutely free to leave the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

University of Surrey
Verified postcode
Guildford, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to find out if a personalised exercise program can be practically used by patients having pancreatic cancer surgery, and if they can stick to it.

What kind of exercise will I be doing?

You'll do a mix of aerobic exercises (like walking) and strength training, all tailored to your current fitness level.

When does the exercise program happen?

It starts before your surgery, continues while you're in the hospital, and after you go home, right up until you start chemotherapy.

Will this study definitely improve my recovery?

This first study is to see if the program is practical. If it is, a larger study will then try to prove if it definitely helps with recovery and other health benefits.

What samples will be collected?

We may collect blood, stool, and some tissue from your surgery to help us understand how exercise affects your body.

How to find out more

Tarak AM Chouari, BSc (Hons) MBChB

t.chouari@nhs.net 01483688691 Official trial record

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