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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04847908

The Munich Adrenaline Cancer Study

Observational studies report associations between physical activity and survival in some types of adult cancer. In addition, some exercise-induced molecules such as catecholamines (e.g., adrenaline) are known to change cancer cell signalling, proliferation and have been linked to clinical outcomes such as survival. The aim of this study is to analyse changes in adrenaline concentration with a single high-intensity interval exercise intervention on a cycle ergometer in children and adolescents during treatment for cancer and to examine the feasibility of the study concept.

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Key information

Conditions

Childhood Cancer Behavior Motor Activity Neoplasms

Age range

6 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine, Department of Paediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Center, Technical University of Munich, Germany

Munich, 80804, Germany

About this study

Exercise is generally recommended as an adjunct therapy for adult cancer patients as it counteracts the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment. According to epidemiological data, exercise is also associated with a reduced risk of tumour developement and an improval of survival in some tumours. However, the underlying mechanisms by which exercise affects tumour cells are poorly understood in adult cancer patients and mostly unknown in children. Recent studies demonstrate anti-cancer effects of exercise-induced adrenaline through natural killer cell mobilisation and Hippo signalling. In addition, several exercise-induced molecules such as catecholamines (e.g., adrenaline) are known to change cancer cell signalling, proliferation and have been linked to clinical outcomes such as survival. The aim of this pilot study is the analysation of exercise-induced changes in adrenaline concentration in childhood cancer patients and to show feasibility of the study concept. Following recruitment within the first and third cycle of chemotherapy and consent for study participation, all recruited patients perform a single high-intensity interval exercise intervention on a cycle ergometer. Intensity of the intervals is examined both subjectively via a scale for rate of perceived exertion and objectively via changes in lactate concentration pre- and post-exercise as well as heart rate monitoring. Blood samples are taken by trained personnel staff and prepared for processing (centrifuged, snap-frozen). Changes in adrenaline concentration are measured with a commercial ELISA kit. For further identification of metabolites that change with exercise, a non-biased mass spectrometry metabolomics analysis will be used.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • newly diagnosed pediatric cancer or relapse
  • aged 6-18 years
  • between the first and third cycle of chemotherapy
  • diagnosis and treatment at the Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Department of Paediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Centre, Technical University of Munich
  • German language
  • informed consent as documented by signature

Exclusion criteria

  • Any medical contraindication with respect to a high-intensity interval exercise intervention (e.g., cardiovascular complications, comorbidities, bleeding risk, pain, infection, nausea, orthopedic impairment of the lower extremities)
  • inability to follow the procedures and understand the intervention and assessment of the study, e.g., due to cognitive impairment, language problems, psychological disorders etc.

Treatment and study plan

Single high-intensity interval exercise intervention

Other

Study participants perform a single bout of exercise on a cycle ergometer (high-intensity interval exercise intervention) within the first and third cycle of chemotherapy. Following a 2 minute warm-up, the interval protocol comprises 10 intervals à 15 seconds with high intensity and 60 seconds low intensity in-between. Blood samples are taken at t0 pre-exercise (after a 10 minute rest) and at t1 immediately post-exercise via central catheter (Hickman/port).

Primary outcomes

  1. Changes in adrenaline concentration

    Time frame: Pre-exercise (at rest, t0) and post-exercise (within 3 min, t1)

    Blood samples are collected at rest pre-exercise (t0) and post-exercise (t1) via a central catheter and prepared for processing by trained personnel (centrifuged, snap-frozen). Both at t0 and t1, 4,9ml blood are taken for adrenaline and lactate concentration (see secondary outcomes). Serum adrenaline concentration is measured with an ELISA kit in mmol/l.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Feasibility of the study concept

    Time frame: Through study completion, on average 14 days

    Feasibility of the study concept is examined via compliance, acceptance and safety.

    Detailed documentation ensures completeness of feasibility aspects.

  2. Lactate concentration

    Time frame: Pre-exercise (at rest, t0) and post-exercise (within 3 min, t1)

    Lactate concentration is analysed to examine the level of intensity of the single high-intensity interval exercise intervention. Blood samples are collected at rest pre-exercise (t0) and post-exercise (t1), both 4,9ml, via a central catheter and prepared for processing by trained personnel. Lactate concentration is measured with Biosen C-Line in mmol/l.

  3. Heart rate

    Time frame: Pre-exercise (at rest, t0), during high-intensity interval exercise intervention and post-exercise (within 3 min, t1)

    Heart rate monitoring is used to objectively measure the level of intensity during the single high-intensity interval exercise intervention for safety monitoring. Heart rate levels are documented at rest pre-exercise, after every interval and post-exercise.

  4. Physical activity before diagnosis

    Time frame: Once, pre-intervention

    Physical activity levels are investigated using a standardised questionnaire (ActiOn) to evaluate the extent, range and intensity of physical activity shortly before the diagnosis. This questionnaire was developed for children and adolescents during and after treatment for childhood cancer.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Technical University of Munich

Other

Collaborators

  • Helmholtz Zentrum München

Registry information

Official study title

Changes in Metabolite Concentrations After a Single High-intensity Interval Exercise Intervention During Treatment for Childhood Cancer - A Pilot Study

Acronym: MACS

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Apr 19, 2021
Registry last updated
Oct 26, 2021

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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