What side effects are associated with this type of intervention?

Common treatments for pancreatic cancer, such as chemotherapy and surgical interventions like the Whipple resection, have several known side effects. Chemotherapy can cause fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and increased infection risk due to lowered white blood cell counts. Surgical procedures can lead to complications such as infections, delayed gastric emptying, and changes in digestion. Supervised exercise programs have been shown to improve physical fitness, reduce treatment-related side effects, and potentially enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

What prior FDA approvals exist?

The FDA has approved several chemotherapy agents for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, including gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and the combination regimen FOLFIRINOX. These treatments aim to improve survival rates and manage symptoms in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Additionally, supervised exercise programs have shown promise in improving physical fitness, reducing treatment-related side effects, and potentially enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy, although they are not FDA-approved treatments themselves. These programs are being studied for their potential to support overall treatment outcomes in pancreatic cancer patients.

What other types of research exist?

Promising novel alternatives to supervised exercise programs for pancreatic cancer patients include: 1) Combination therapies with BRAF and MEK inhibitors (e.g., dabrafenib plus trametinib) for patients with BRAF V600E mutations, which have shown significant response rates in clinical trials. 2) Advanced systemic anticancer therapies, including newer chemotherapy regimens and targeted therapies that may offer improved efficacy and reduced side effects. 3) Enhanced supportive care measures, such as personalized nutrition plans and psychological support, which can improve overall quality of life and treatment outcomes. These alternatives should be discussed with a healthcare provider to tailor the best approach for individual patient needs.

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Behavioral Intervention

Video-based Exercise Prehabilitation for Pancreatic Cancer

Phase 3

Recruiting

Led By An Ngo-Huang, DO

Research Sponsored by M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up thorugh study completion; an average of 1 year.

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Pivotal Trial

Summary

This trial is testing if an exercise program can help pancreatic cancer patients by improving their health.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for adults over 18 with resectable pancreatic cancer, scheduled for chemo followed by surgery. They must be able to do fitness tests and follow the Tele-PancFit exercise program, have Wi-Fi at home for remote sessions, and not be in severe pain or have unstable heart/lung conditions.

What is being tested?

The study compares usual care with a tele-supervised resistance exercise program (Tele-PancFit) during chemotherapy to see if it improves outcomes for patients undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

What are the potential side effects?

While specific side effects are not listed, typical risks of resistance exercises may include muscle soreness, fatigue, and potential strain on the heart or lungs especially in those with pre-existing conditions.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ thorugh study completion; an average of 1 year.

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~thorugh study completion; an average of 1 year.

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and thorugh study completion; an average of 1 year. for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Safety and adverse events (AEs)

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Pivotal Trial

The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: Group B-Tele-supervised resistance exercisesExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will take part in a monitored exercise program. The study team will provide more instructions and information about the program

Group II: Group A-Enhanced Usual CareExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants will be given general recommendations to increase physical activity and improve nutrition before surgery.

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.

Mechanism Of Action

Side Effect Profile

Prior Approvals

Other Research

Common treatments for pancreatic cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery aims to remove the tumor and surrounding tissues, potentially offering a cure in early-stage disease. Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop their growth, often by damaging their DNA or interfering with cell division. Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to target and destroy cancer cells. Supportive care, such as supervised exercise programs, plays a crucial role by improving physical fitness, reducing treatment-related side effects like fatigue, and potentially enhancing the effectiveness of chemotherapy. This holistic approach is vital for pancreatic cancer patients as it can improve overall quality of life and treatment outcomes.