ERICA-02 Study : Impact of Physical Exercise on the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Patients Treated With Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Summary

Recent advances combining chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery have significantly improved outcomes for patients with resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, a substantial proportion of patients still do not respond optimally to these treatments. Researchers believe that physical activity may help strengthen the immune system and favorably modify the tumor microenvironment, potentially improving treatment effectiveness. ERICA-02 aims to investigate this hypothesis.The primary objective of ERICA-02 is to evaluate whether a structured exercise program performed during neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy can increase the presence of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes within the tumor. These immune cells play a key role in recognizing and destroying cancer cells and are considered an important marker of anti-tumor immune response.The study is designed for adults with locally advanced, resectable non-small cell lung cancer who are eligible for neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy followed by surgery. Participants must be medically fit to engage in physical activity, able to comply with study procedures, and provide informed consent before enrollment.ERICA-02 is a multicenter, randomized phase II pilot trial involving approximately 40 patients. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups : intervention group and control group. Each participant will be involved in the study for approximately six months, including three months of exercise intervention for patients assigned to the exercise group.

Conditions

• Lung Neoplasms
• Non Small Cell Lung Cancer

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Physical activity recommendations

At the baseline, all participants will receive the international recommendations in terms of physical activity for promoting health in the general population.

BEHAVIORAL

Physical Activity (PA) Intervention

The exercise programme is carried out during the neoadjuvant period (9 to 12 weeks), alongside the three cycles of chemo-immunotherapy. Participants are provided with an exercise bike and a heart rate monitor. The programme is structured in three progressive phases: adaptation (weeks 1 to 3, light to moderate intensity), progression (weeks 4 to 6, increased intensity and introduction of interval training) and maintenance/optimisation (from week 7 until surgery, stabilisation of the training load). Outside the treatment weeks, participants undertake one supervised strength training session each week via videoconference and two independent aerobic sessions on an exercise bike. During each treatment session (C1, C2, C3), a supervised session combining aerobic exercise and strength training is carried out whilst the infusion is in progress.A weekly telephone follow-up allows the programme to be adjusted and enables the collection of assessments of fatigue and perceived exertion.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre Leon Berard

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-07-30

Primary Completion

2029-06-30

Completion

2029-12-31

Countries

• France

Study Locations