Remote Physical Activity Programming to Improve Outcomes in Cancer Survivors With and Without Type 2 Diabetes

Summary

The growing U.S. cancer survivor population is projected to hit 26M by 2040. Chemotherapy represents an effective cancer treatment but can diminish cancer survivors' quality of life-particularly cognitive function-through select pathophysiological processes. Research on chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (hereafter, 'chemo-brain') is therefore critical. Chemotherapy disrupts immune system function and antioxidant regulation, causing inflammatory molecule release and damaging the brain's blood vessels. The brain's vascular function and, possibly, its neurons, are subsequently impaired-likely contributing to chemo-brain. Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a common cancer survivor comorbidity, shares underlying pathophysiology with chemo-brain. T2D-related insulin resistance can precipitate repeated high blood sugar episodes which increase inflammatory molecule release. In individuals with T2D without cancer, negative relationships are observed between inflammatory molecule concentrations and the brain's vascular and/or cognitive function. Cancer survivors with T2D might thus have higher chemo-brain risk than those without T2D. Yet, more research must compare how the brain's vascular function, as well as cognitive, inflammatory, and cardiometabolic indices, differ between these groups. Physical activity (PA) counteracts chemo-brain's and T2D's pathophysiology, with higher PA/fitness resulting in better vascular function of the brain, lower inflammatory molecule concentrations, and improved insulin sensitivity. We are therefore conducting a 30-participant quasi-experimental pilot study in cancer survivors with (cases) and without (controls) T2D. We will first investigate between-group differences in the brain's vascular function as well as cognitive, inflammatory, cardiometabolic, and epigenetic outcomes. We will then examine between-group changes in these outcomes and select psychosocial metrics during a 12-week technology-based PA program-potentially further elucidating involved mechanisms.

Conditions

• Cancer Survivorship
• Chemotherapy Side Effects

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Social Cognitive Theory-based, Technology-delivered Physical Activity Program

Participants will engage in a 12-week program of aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity. This program will be delivered remotely via two smartphone applications--one for providing health education, goal setting, and journaling features and the other for delivery of the physical activity program in a highly-personalized and HIPAA-compliant manner. Participants will receive a Fitbit to track their activity and resistance bands to use during their resistance training physical activity. All program components will be based in the Social Cognitive Theory and will target improving participants' physiological and psychological health outcomes.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Oklahoma

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Zachary C Pope, PhD · University of Oklahoma Health Sciences

• Mikhail Kellawan, PhD · University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science

• Andriy Yabluchanskiy, MD, PhD · University of Oklahoma Health Sciences

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-03-10

Primary Completion

2026-12-31

Completion

2027-02-28

Countries

• United States

Study Locations