Debunking the Frailty-sarcopenIa-ADT Axis in mEtastatic Prostate canceR With multiComponent Exercise: The FIERCE Trial

This research study is a pilot, randomized control study, which is the first-time investigators are examining this intervention in this setting.

Participants will be randomized into one of two study groups: Exercise Group versus Attention Control Group. Randomization means a participant is placed into a group by chance.

The research study procedures include screening for eligibility, study treatment, including extensive evaluations of fitness, physical health and strength, blood tests, muscle biopsy, surveys, and follow-up visits.

Participation in this research study is expected to last about 16 weeks.

It is expected that about 80 people will take part in this research study.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation is providing funding for this research study.

Inclusion criteria

• Ability to understand and the willingness to sign informed consent prior to any study-related procedures.
• Diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer.
• Aged ≥18 years; due to the rarity of the disease in those <18 years, this age bracket will not be included.
• Have been receiving androgen deprivation (either with or without androgen receptor targeted treatment) for at least one month and expect to remain on their treatment for at least 4 months.
• Are pre-frail or frail as indicated by the FRAIL scale (a score of 1-2 = pre-frail; 3-5 = frail).
• Have physician's clearance to participate in exercise.
• Speak English.
• Participate in less than 2 structured resistance exercise sessions per week over the last 4 months.
• Participate in less than or equal to 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week over the last month.
• Willing to travel to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for necessary data collection and exercise sessions.

Exclusion criteria

• Receiving chemotherapy. This study is exclusively targeting androgen deprivation therapy-related effects.
• Have unstable bone lesions. In general patients with severely symptomatic/unstable bone lesions due to bone metastases are at a higher risk of fractures.
• Complete 2 or more structured resistance exercise sessions per week over the last 4 months and participate in more than 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise per week over the last month. Excess additional exercise is a confounding factor in assessing the effect of the current exercise program.
• Unstable comorbidities that prevent participation in moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise. Patients with unstable comorbidities likely require supervised exercise for safety, and part of this study involves unsupervised exercise; therefore, for safety reasons, these persons are excluded.
• Patients receiving treatment for other active malignancies (except basal cell carcinoma). This study is exclusively targeting androgen deprivation therapy-related effects.
• Subjects who in the opinion of the investigators may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study.