Exercise to Boost Response to Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy

Exercise to Boost Response to Checkpoint Blockade Immunotherapy

30 minutes of moderate exercise on an arm ergometer, a cycle ergometer, or a treadmill prior to each administration of standard of care checkpoint blockade immunotherapy across all cycles

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Age ≥ 18 years
• Able to read and speak English fluently
• Capable of giving informed consent
• Reported ability to complete 20-30 minutes moderate exercise per positive response to "can you currently walk unaided for six minutes or more?".
• Scheduled for first-time checkpoint blockade immunotherapy with FDA-approved drugs, including avelumab, cemiplimab, ipilimumab, nivolumab, pembrolizumab or relatlimab in the absence of other therapies (e.g. targeted therapy)
• Melanoma patients (adjuvant setting)
• Melanoma patients (neoadjuvant setting)
• cuSCC patients (neoadjuvant setting)
• Merkel cell carcinoma patients (neoadjuvant setting)

Participants may also be required to have a full COVID vaccination series; the most up-to-date best practice guidelines for research at Moffitt Cancer Center will dictate the need for such a vaccination series.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of medical conditions, such as severe cardiovascular disease for which an exercise intervention may not be warranted.
• Presence of major postoperative complications for which an exercise intervention may not be warranted.