Testing the Effects of Exercise on Colorectal Cancer Development After Treatment With Pelvic Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer

The Effects of Exercise on Colorectal Cancer Promotion Following Pelvic Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

This clinical trial evaluates the effects of exercise therapy on signs of colorectal cancer in colon tissue and blood in people who completed pelvic radiation therapy for prostate cancer. People who get radiation in the pelvic area have a higher chance of developing colon cancer years later. This is because radiation can cause new mutations and inflammation. Research shows that exercise lowers colon cancer risk by about 30%. The results of this trial may help researchers better understand how exercise affects the development of colorectal cancer in patients who were treated with pelvic radiation therapy for prostate cancer.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. Determine the effects of exercise on mitigating molecular features in collected normal mucosa sample and any polyps identified.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Study longitudinal changes in predictors of colon cancer risk. II. Evaluate accrual and retention rates, as well as exercise compliance and safety.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVE:

I. Bank tissue from standard of care colonoscopies/flex sigmoidoscopies for exploratory biological analyses (e.g., immune cell infiltration, mutational signature analysis).

OUTLINE:

STAGE 1: Patients undergo standard of care (SOC) colonoscopy/flex sigmoidoscopy with tissue biopsy, have their Apple Health physical activity data collected and analyzed, and complete a survey. Patients determined to have low physical activity over the previous 12 months may proceed to Stage 2.

STAGE 2: Patients participate in individualized walking sessions over 10-70 minutes each, 5 times per week (225 minutes total per week), for 6 months. Patients also undergo collection of a blood sample on study and undergo SOC colonoscopy/flex sigmoidoscopy with tissue biopsy during follow-up.

After completion of study intervention, patients are followed up within 2 weeks, or up to 3 months, for completion of follow-up SOC colonoscopy/flex sigmoidoscopy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Documented informed consent of the participant and/or legally authorized representative

  • Assent, when appropriate, will be obtained per institutional guidelines

• Agreement to allow the use of archival tissue from diagnostic tumor biopsies

  • If unavailable, exceptions may be granted with study principal investigator (PI) approval

• Age: 40-80 years

• Body mass index (BMI): > 25 kg/m^2

• Has Apple Health application (app) on personal device with valid iOS operating software (i.e., iOS 15.0 or higher)

• Has a registered MyChart/MyCityofHope account (or be willing to register for one) and the app downloaded onto personal device

• Ability to read and understand English to review MyChart/MyCityofHope on-screen instructions to sync and share Apple Health data, and for safety during exercise testing

• Previously diagnosed with localized prostate cancer

• Completed pelvic radiotherapy 12-20 months ago

• Presence of abnormalities (e.g., polyps, lesions) in the colon

• Assessed for exercise participation as per pre-screening clearance via the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q+) (stage 2 only)

• Low physical activity, defined by < 5,000 steps/day over the last 12 months as per Apple Health data (stage 2 only)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Enrollment in any other program (e.g., weight loss program) that may alter the impact of exercise on outcomes
• Presence of any other concurrent, actively treated malignancy
• Distant metastatic malignancy of any kind
• Any other condition that would, in the Investigator's judgment, contraindicate the patient's participation in the clinical study due to safety concerns with clinical study procedures
• Prospective participants who, in the opinion of the investigator, may not be able to comply with all study procedures (including compliance issues related to feasibility/logistics)