Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Impact of Exercise Intensity on Cardiac Health in Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: The PULSE Trial

United States20 participantsStarted 2026-03-04

Plain-language summary

This trial aims to evaluate the impact of exercise intensity on cardiac health in young adult survivors of childhood cancer previously treated with anthracyclines.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 39 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Current age at study initiation 18-39 years. * Cancer diagnosis at age ≤ 18 years. * Previous exposure to any dose of anthracyclines. * Are ≥2 years post-treatment and in remission without relapse after cancer directed therapy. * Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status = 0 * Oncology survivorship provider clearance to participate in exercise * No self-reported comorbidities or contraindications that prohibit the undertaking of high intensity exercise (e.g., severe valvular heart disease) * Sedentary (i.e., currently participates in ≤ 60 minutes of structured high or moderate intensity exercise/week) determined by self-report during screening using the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire * Speak English * Willing to travel to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for necessary data collection Exclusion Criteria: * Unstable comorbidities that prevent participation in moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise. * Patients who are pregnant. * Participate in more than 60 minutes of structured moderate-to-vigorous exercise per week over the last month. * Patients receiving treatment for other active malignancies (except basal cell carcinoma). * Subjects who in the opinion of the investigators, may not be able to comply with the safety monitoring requirements of the study. * Unable to travel to DFCI Longwood campus for necessary data collection.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in average E/e' ratio

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in septal mitral annular e' velocity

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in lateral mitral annular e' velocity

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in left atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax)

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS)

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in VO₂max

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07442578

SponsorDana-Farber Cancer Institute

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-03-04

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Childhood Cancer Survivors trials

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 39 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

What they're measuring

Change in average E/e' ratio

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in septal mitral annular e' velocity

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in lateral mitral annular e' velocity

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in left atrial maximum volume index (LAVImax)

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV GLS)

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)

Change in VO₂max

Timeframe: Baseline (Week 0) and post-intervention (Week 17)