The specific aims of this study are to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a weight loss program compared with usual care (control) treatment on 6-month changes in body weight, body fat, serum hormones, and breast tissue markers associated with prognosis in breast cancer survivors.
We will conduct a two-armed study comparing a combination of an in-person and telephone weight loss program compared to usual care/wait list in 100 breast cancer survivors. Women will be randomized into one of the study arms using a random permuted block design. Research staff collecting body composition data, as well as reviewing forms and entering data, will be blinded to the participant's study group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
51
The intervention will be based on the Diabetes Prevention Program weight loss program, which uses a combination of reduced caloric intake, increased physical activity, and behavior therapy. The content of the weight loss program will be similar for the in-person and telephone interventions, but the approach will vary (i.e., in-person vs. telephone counseling). The weight loss intervention will be conducted by a Registered Dietitian, who has training in exercise physiology and behavior modification.
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Change in Body Mass Index (BMI)
BMI will be calculated using weight and height measurements (weight (kg)/height (m)\^2 ). Weight and height will be measured by research staff blinded to the participant's randomization group at baseline and 6-months. Participants will be weighed in light indoor clothing, without shoes, rounding up to the nearest 0.1 kg; height will be measured in a standard manner, without shoes, using a stadiometer, rounding up to the nearest 0.1 cm. All measures will be performed and recorded twice in succession.
Time frame: 6 months
Change in body weight in kilograms (kg)
Participants will be weighed in light indoor clothing, without shoes, rounding up to the nearest 0.1 kg. All measures will be performed and recorded twice in succession.
Time frame: 6 months
Change in percent body fat
Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scans will be performed at baseline and 6-months. The DEXA measurements will be made with a Hologic scanner (Hologic 4500 with a "Discovery" upgrade, Hologic Inc, Waltham, Mass). A whole-body scan takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. We will measure percent body fat utilizing DEXA.
Time frame: 6 months
Change in breast tissue markers
We will collect a breast tissue biopsy from the unaffected breast at baseline and 6 months. Six slides will be made from each specimen for immunohistochemistry, as follows: Ki67 (MIB-1, DAKO), IGF1 receptor (1D5; DAKO), insulin receptor (mouse anti-human monoclonal B1445; LifeSpan BioSciences), Estrogen receptor (SP1, NeoMarker), Progesterone receptor (pgR636, DAKO) and HER-2 neu (SP3, NeoMarker). Ki67 will be scored quantitatively (% positive nuclei) using the Aperio system (Specialized Histopathology Laboratory). Estrogen and progesterone receptors will be scored following current ASCO/CAP guidelines (percent positive, intensity). Her2 will be scored according to current ASCO/CAP guidelines (intensity of membrane staining). All other markers will be scored on a semi-quantitative scale (0 to 3+).
Time frame: 6 months
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Change in fasting insulin
All the hormones to be measured (insulin, IGF-1, leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein) have been previously measured in our lab and published. We will use immunoassay techniques and kits from Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC, Los Angeles, CA) to measure each hormone value. Each woman's baseline and follow-up samples will be used in the same batch, and an equal number of intervention and control samples will also be included in the same batch. Blind duplicates are also included in and between batches to estimate coefficient of variations.
Time frame: 6 months
Change in Leptin
All the hormones to be measured (insulin, IGF-1, leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein) have been previously measured in our lab and published. We will use immunoassay techniques and kits from Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC, Los Angeles, CA) to measure each hormone value. Each woman's baseline and follow-up samples will be used in the same batch, and an equal number of intervention and control samples will also be included in the same batch. Blind duplicates are also included in and between batches to estimate coefficient of variations.
Time frame: 6 months
Change in C-reactive protein
All the hormones to be measured (insulin, IGF-1, leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein) have been previously measured in our lab and published. We will use immunoassay techniques and kits from Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC, Los Angeles, CA) to measure each hormone value. Each woman's baseline and follow-up samples will be used in the same batch, and an equal number of intervention and control samples will also be included in the same batch. Blind duplicates are also included in and between batches to estimate coefficient of variations.
Time frame: 6 months
Skin Carotenoids Assessment
Assessment of skin carotenoids will be done using Resonance RAMAN Spectroscopy (RRS). Briefly, a small scanner which shines blue light is placed on the palm of the hand for 30 seconds. The palm is cleaned with an alcohol wipe prior to the scan, A RRS reading is available after a further 30 seconds. The procedure is repeated at the same body location. Skin color is self assessed by the participants at the baseline visit using samples that are used in plastic surgery to assess skin color. Melanin content (skin color) may have a small effect on RRS, but this effect is minimized by assessing skin carotenoids in the palm, which has a lower melanin content than other body sites.
Time frame: 6 months
Maintenance of Weight Loss
A mailed follow up will be conducted at 12-months post randomization. Questionnaires will be mailed to the participant with a pre-paid envelope for their return. Information about current weight will be collected using this method.
Time frame: 12 months
Changes in salivary cortisol
Women will be asked to collect 3 saliva samples (wake up, midday and bedtime) for 4 days following the baseline biopsy visit and 6 month follow up visit. Samples will be collected using Salivettes for cortisol. The cotton ball is removed from the Salivette, chewed for 1 minute and returned to the Salivette. Samples will be refrigerated in the container provided. Samples will be returned by mail in a specialized self-addressed pre-paid envelope when sample collection is complete.
Time frame: 6 months