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NCT Number: NCT02079662

The Role of Lifestyle Factors in Breast Cancer-Related Outcomes

This randomized clinical trial studies an integrative oncology (making changes in lifestyle and behavior) program in improving cancer-related outcomes in patients with stage II or III breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy. An integrative oncology program consisting of dietary recommendations, physical activity, stress management, social support, and control of environmental contaminants may modify cancer-related biological processes, influence long-term treatment results, and improve the quality of life of patients.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Stage II Breast Cancer AJCC v6 and v7 Breast Diseases Breast Neoplasms Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Stage IIA Breast Cancer AJCC v6 and v7 Stage IIB Breast Cancer AJCC v6 and v7 Stage III Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIA Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIB Breast Cancer AJCC v7 Stage IIIC Breast Cancer AJCC v7

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

M D Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, Texas, 77030, United States

About this study

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Determine whether the Integrative Oncology group (IO) has increased disease-free survival (time to recurrence) than the standard of care control group (SC).

II. Compare group differences over time in biological pathways including: immune function, endocrine function, insulin and glucose metabolism, cancer-related pathways (from peripheral blood), antioxidant capacity, and nutrient levels.

III. Examine group differences in overall survival. IV. Compare group differences over time in dietary patterns and fitness levels. V. Determine whether the IO group has improved patient reported outcomes including fatigue, sleep disturbances, radiotherapy toxicity (dermatitis, skin ulceration, pruritis, etc.), gut microbiome, other aspects of Quality of Life (QOL), mental health, social support, and measures of positive growth.

VI. Compare group differences over time in heart rate variability. VII. Determine cost-effectiveness analysis and work and/or home productivity.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Compare group differences over time in healthy breast tissue biomarkers acquired from fine needle aspirations.

II. Compare group differences in spouse or caregiver work productivity.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.

ARM I: Patients undergo up to 7 different IO intervention sessions per week during their 6-week course of radiotherapy for between 1 and 3 hours each session, in addition to, up to 6 aerobic training sessions per week and one grocery store trip during the course of the program. IO intervention programs consist of nutritional coaching, behavioral therapy, yoga and meditation practice, resistance training, and a weekly meal sharing and cooking class. Patients then have weekly meetings with the study psychologist on the computer for 6 months, followed by a monthly meeting on the computer from 6-12 months, and 2 hour meetings at all follow-up appointments during the first year after radiotherapy.

ARM II: Patients undergo standard of care.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 6 and 12 months and then annually for up to 4 years.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Women with stage II or III breast cancer that will be scheduled to undergo a 4 to 6-week course of radiotherapy
  • Participants must be able to read, write, and speak English
  • Participants must be oriented to person, place, and time
  • Participants must also meet at least two of the following criteria related to lifestyle: 1) consume less than 3 servings of fruit and vegetable/day; 2) engage in less than 75 minutes moderate/vigorous activity per week, defined as anything that causes small increases in breathing or heart rate for a sustained amount of time (e.g., brisk walking, bicycling); and 3) engage in a mind-body practice less than 4 times a month
  • Participants must have a body mass index (BMI) of 24.45 or higher as assessed in the medical record

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with a recurrent breast cancer diagnosis
  • Patients with another primary cancer diagnosis within 5 years of consent, not including non-melanoma skin cancers
  • Patients who have any major psychiatric diagnoses or thought disorder (e.g. schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, dementia)
  • Patients with communication barriers (e.g., hard of hearing)
  • Patients with extreme mobility issues (e.g. unable to get in and out of a chair unassisted)
  • Patients with poorly or uncontrolled diabetes in the opinion of the physician(s)

Treatment and study plan

Behavioral, Psychological or Informational Intervention

Other

Undergo IO intervention

Best Practice

Other

Undergo standard of care

Other names: standard of care, standard therapy

Cognitive Intervention

Other

Undergo IO intervention

Computer-Assisted Intervention

Other

Undergo IO intervention

Counseling

Other

Undergo counseling

Other names: Counseling Intervention

Exercise Intervention

Behavioral

Undergo IO intervention

laboratory biomarker analysis

Other

Correlative studies

Quality-of-Life Assessment

Other

Ancillary studies

Other names: Quality of Life Assessment

Questionnaire Administration

Other

Ancillary studies

Primary outcomes

  1. Disease-free survival (DFS)

    Time frame: Up to 5 years

    Will analyze DFS, using a multivariate comparison of DFS for each group using a Cox proportional hazards analysis. Will consider the following as potential covariates in the analysis (tumor and nodal status, menopausal status at diagnosis, tumor factors, treatment regimen, etc). Will obtain estimates for hazards ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the effect of the study arm and each covariate.

  2. Changes in biological pathways

    Time frame: Baseline to 5 years

    Will use generalized linear mixed model regression (GLMM). Separate sets of analyses will be conducted for each criterion variable. To select the best method for modeling the repeated measures, will use the methods of Wolfinger and statistics such as Akaike's and Schwarz's information criteria. Will also use either t tests or Wilcoxon two-sample tests to analyze these data, depending on their distributions.

  3. Changes in dietary patterns

    Time frame: Baseline to 5 years

    Will use GLMM. Separate sets of analyses will be conducted for each criterion variable. To select the best method for modeling the repeated measures, will use the methods of Wolfinger and statistics such as Akaike's and Schwarz's information criteria. Will also use either t tests or Wilcoxon two-sample tests to analyze these data, depending on their distributions.

  4. Changes in fitness levels

    Time frame: Baseline to 5 years

    Will use GLMM. Separate sets of analyses will be conducted for each criterion variable. To select the best method for modeling the repeated measures, will use the methods of Wolfinger and statistics such as Akaike's and Schwarz's information criteria. Will also use either t tests or Wilcoxon two-sample tests to analyze these data, depending on their distributions.

  5. Changes in heart rate variability

    Time frame: Baseline to 5 years

    Will use GLMM. Separate sets of analyses will be conducted for each criterion variable. To select the best method for modeling the repeated measures, will use the methods of Wolfinger and statistics such as Akaike's and Schwarz's information criteria. Will also use either t tests or Wilcoxon two-sample tests to analyze these data, depending on their distributions.

  6. Changes in quality of life (including fatigue and sleep disturbances)

    Time frame: Baseline to 5 years

    Will use GLMM. Separate sets of analyses will be conducted for each criterion variable. To select the best method for modeling the repeated measures, will use the methods of Wolfinger and statistics such as Akaike's and Schwarz's information criteria. Will also use either t tests or Wilcoxon two-sample tests to analyze these data, depending on their distributions.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

Other

Collaborators

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Registry information

Official study title

Integrative Oncology Program in Improving Cancer-Related Outcomes in Patients With Stage II or III Breast Cancer Undergoing Radiation Therapy

Important dates

Study start
2013
Primary completion
2030
Study completion
2030
First posted
Mar 6, 2014
Registry last updated
Jun 11, 2026

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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