Resistance Exercise, IL-7 and Immune Phenotypes in Prostate Cancer (NCT07724080) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Resistance Exercise, IL-7 and Immune Phenotypes in Prostate Cancer
United Kingdom40 participantsStarted 2026-08
Plain-language summary
Hormone therapy for prostate cancer typically causes significant muscle loss. Skeletal muscle releases Interleukin-7 (IL-7), a signalling protein that supports the production of new immune cells. Therefore, losing muscle during cancer treatment may actively weaken the immune system. The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if a 12-week supervised resistance exercise (strength training) programme can prevent this muscle loss and increase levels of IL-7.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does a 12-week strength training programme raise resting IL-7 levels and increase newly formed immune cell counts?
* Does a single session of strength training trigger an immediate release of IL-7?
* To what extent do exercise-induced improvements in muscle mass and strength translate into reduced fatigue, better physical function, higher quality of life, and improved cardiometabolic health?
* Is the exercise programme safe and well-tolerated during hormone therapy?
Researchers will compare a Resistance Exercise Group to a Usual Care Group to see the effects of strength training against standard medical care.
Participants will:
* Attend a screening visit to check eligibility.
* Complete baseline assessments, including body composition scans, blood tests, fitness tests, and questionnaires.
* Be randomly assigned to either the exercise group or the usual care group.
* Complete three supervised strength training sessions per week for 12 weeks, if assigned to the exercise group.
* Continue with standard medical care, if assigned to the usual care group.
* Repeat all assessments at the end of the 12 weeks.
* Perform one short exercise session during the final visit, with extra blood samples taken before and after to track immediate changes
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
MALE
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:
* Histologically confirmed diagnosis of localised prostate cancer (clinical stage T1-3b, N0-1, M0 and a Gleason score of 6-10).
* Scheduled to undergo curative-intent treatment involving neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for a duration of at least 3 months, alongside radiotherapy.
* Recruited prior to, or within the first 2 weeks of, initiating ADT.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0 or 1.
* Written medical clearance to participate from the treating oncologist.
* Sufficient proficiency in English to comprehend study instructions.
* Provision of written informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Evidence of distant metastases (M1).
* Uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina, or a myocardial infarction within the past 6 months).
* Musculoskeletal pathologies or conditions that would preclude the safe execution of resistance exercise.
* A known history of autoimmune disease.
* Current use of chronic systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive agents.
* Engagement in structured resistance exercise within the preceding 3 months.
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
1
Change in Resting Interleukin-7 (IL-7) Concentration