Exercise and Nutrition to Improve Pancreatic Cancer Outcomes

This initial feasibility and proof of concept study focuses on maximizing pancreatic cancer survivors' fitness and physical function in a brief period, the 2-3 weeks available prior to surgical resection, using a home-based exercise program with all equipment provided, and following nutritional recommendations. Intervention begins when the oncologist determines that the patient is a candidate for pancreaticoduodenectomy, and continues until surgery. Participants in both arms are asked to perform moderate exercise daily, targeting a total of 60 minutes per day by the surgery date, but in bouts as short as a few minutes each, and progressed according to tolerance. Initial prescription is individualized according to the patient's baseline level of exercise and functional status. Patients record their exercise and wear an accelerometer to track activity if willing. All participants receive follow-up phone calls from an exercise specialist for adherence and assistance with progression. The intervention period ends at the time of surgery.

In this 'quasi-double blinded' randomized trial, participants are not told the difference between the two exercise interventions, and randomization to the two treatment arms is stratified by baseline functional status, such that patients deemed to be 'borderline' in fitness for surgery are distributed across the groups. Prior chemotherapy exposure is allowed and recorded.

Inclusion:

• Individuals with suspected pancreatic or related tumor for surgical resection by pancreaticoduodenectomy, including those who've received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, are eligible provided they are approved for exercise participation by pancreatic clinic team.
• Cognition and English language skills must be sufficient for completion of consent and questionnaires.
• Age >30.
• Able to rise from a chair and walk household distances without assist from another person.
• Willing to be randomized to one of two pre-operative home-based exercise programs, without knowing the difference between the two, and use protein supplementation if instructed.

Exclusion:

• Individuals are excluded if they are unsafe (according to the study team) based on current MD recommendation not to exercise, medical history, recent fracture or high-risk bone lesion, or neurologic disorder with safety concerns.
• Participants cannot have an allergy to whey protein, or abnormal response to baseline physical performance tests of walking endurance and strength.
• Those who currently participate in a regular and substantial (as defined by the study team) strengthening or protein supplementation program are eligible only for the 'for assessment only' observational version of the study, but will not be included in the randomized trial.