New Leeds clinical trial explores how exercise may save lung cancer lives
A new ground-breaking clinical trial will be held in Leeds to see whether exercise during treatment for lung cancer can help more people have life-saving surgery.
The project, which is being funded by Yorkshire Cancer Research, will benefit people receiving lung cancer treatment at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.
Led by experts at the University of Hull and Hull York Medical School, the study will explore whether a personalised physical activity programme can improve fitness and wellbeing for people receiving ‘chemo-immunotherapy’, helping more reach surgery and recover well afterwards.
Each year, more than 4,800 people in England could benefit from a new NHS-approved treatment that combines chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery and provides immunotherapy after surgery.
However, one in five people who start the treatment are unable to have surgery, and this significantly affects survival.
Existing research shows that exercise before surgery can increase access to previously unsuitable treatments, lead to fewer complications from surgery and reduce the number of days people spend recovering in hospital.
Cecilia Pompili, a thoracic surgeon and clinical senior lecturer in psychosocial oncology at the University of Hull, said: “There is a limited timeframe for exercise before surgery, and this means people need fast access to programmes and high motivation to both start exercise quickly and continue to follow their fitness programmes.
“There is currently no standardised referral process to any prehabilitation programme in the UK.
“Even though mounting evidence supports it, and surgeons fully recognise its role in care, there are still some research gaps that need to be addressed. This study will explore whether an integrated exercise programme can be delivered to improve the chances that all people with cancer who start chemo-immunotherapy will be able to have surgery.”
The programme will be designed to fit around people’s lives and treatment schedules, combining in-person support with home-based exercises.
An exercise physiologist will work closely with people in cancer clinics to assess their strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Based on these assessments, each person will receive tailored advice and support to help them stay active and healthy throughout their treatment.
Dr Stuart Griffiths, Director of Research at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Surgery offers the best chance of cure for people with lung cancer.
“ By helping people stay active and improve their fitness during treatment, we hope to give more people the opportunity to have surgery and recover well afterwards.
“This research is about giving people the best possible chance of living longer and improving their quality of life.”