Effect of Exercise on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07399561

National Cancer Center, Korea140 enrolled

Overview

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and often persistent adverse effect of oxaliplatin- and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy. While exercise is frequently recommended for patients with CIPN, it remains unclear whether exercise mitigates neuropathic injury itself or primarily improves physical function and quality of life. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effects of exercise on CIPN during and after chemotherapy. Patients receiving oxaliplatin for colorectal cancer or paclitaxel for gynecologic cancer are randomized to an exercise intervention or usual-care control. Neuropathy severity is assessed using objective neurophysiological measures, blood biomarkers, and validated clinical and patient-reported outcomes.

This is an open-label, randomized controlled trial conducted in patients undergoing neurotoxic chemotherapy. Two chemotherapy cohorts are included: patients receiving oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy for colorectal cancer and patients receiving paclitaxel-based chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer. Participants are randomized 1:1 to an exercise intervention group or a usual-care control group. Randomization is performed prior to chemotherapy initiation, with stratification by age group and chemotherapy regimen to ensure balance between groups. The exercise intervention consists of a structured home-based exercise program initiated at the start of chemotherapy and continued until three months after completion of chemotherapy. The program is designed to be safe and feasible during active cancer treatment, with adherence monitored through regular follow-up. The primary objective is to determine whether exercise reduces the severity of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, as assessed by objective neurophysiological testing and validated patient-reported measures. Secondary objectives include evaluation of blood biomarkers of neuroaxonal injury and inflammation, physical function, and quality of life.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Interventions

Exercise InterventionBEHAVIORAL

A structured home-based exercise program performed during chemotherapy and for up to three months after completion of chemotherapy. The program includes aerobic and strengthening exercises and is designed to be safe and feasible during active cancer treatment. Adherence is monitored through regular telephone follow-up.

Usual CareOTHER

Standard oncologic care and general education regarding chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, without a structured exercise program.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 19 YearsMax age: 75 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of colorectal cancer (oxaliplatin cohort) or gynecologic cancer (paclitaxel cohort) * Planned initiation of oxaliplatin- or paclitaxel-based chemotherapy * Karnofsky Performance Status ≥70 * Ability to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Pre-existing peripheral neuropathy from other causes * Severe comorbidities limiting safe participation in exercise * Regular participation in a structured moderate- to high-intensity exercise program comparable to the study intervention prior to enrollment. * Cognitive impairment interfering with study participation

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Severity (CTCAE v5.0)

Change in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy severity assessed using the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE) version 5.0 sensory neuropathy grade (Grade 0-4, with higher grades indicating more severe neuropathy).

Time frame: Baseline (prior to initiation of chemotherapy), end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks after chemotherapy initiation), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Secondary Outcomes

Blood Biomarkers

Serum neurofilament light chain (NfL), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), complement components (e.g., C5a), and inflammatory cytokines.

Time frame: Baseline, end of chemotherapy, 3 months post-chemotherapy

Quality of Life Assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30

Quality of life assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). The questionnaire generates scores ranging from 0 to 100. For the global health status and functional scales, higher scores indicate better quality of life and functioning, whereas for symptom scales, higher scores indicate greater symptom burden.

Time frame: Baseline, end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Timed Up and Go Test Performance

Change in mobility and balance assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, measured in seconds, with longer times indicating poorer performance.

Time frame: Baseline (prior to initiation of chemotherapy), end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks after chemotherapy initiation), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Sensory Nerve Action Potential Amplitude

Change in sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) amplitude of predefined sensory nerves assessed by nerve conduction studies, measured in microvolts (µV), with lower amplitudes indicating greater axonal dysfunction.

Time frame: Baseline (prior to initiation of chemotherapy), end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks after chemotherapy initiation), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Patient-Reported CIPN Symptoms Assessed by EORTC QLQ-CIPN20

Change in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20-item scale (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20; score range 0-100, with higher scores indicating worse neuropathy).

Time frame: Baseline, end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Serum Neurofilament Light Chain Concentration

Change in serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration, a biomarker of neuroaxonal injury, measured using a validated immunoassay.

Time frame: Baseline (prior to initiation of chemotherapy), end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks after chemotherapy initiation), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Serum Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Level

Change in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level, measured using a single molecule array (SIMOA) immunoassay.

Time frame: Baseline, end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Serum Complement Component C5a Level

Change in serum complement component C5a level, a marker of complement activation, measured using the MicroVue™ C5a enzyme immunoassay.

Time frame: Baseline (prior to initiation of chemotherapy), end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks after chemotherapy initiation), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Sit-to-Stand Test Performance

Change in lower extremity functional strength assessed using the Sit-to-Stand test, measured as time to complete the test or number of repetitions, as applicable.

Time frame: Baseline, end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in 2-Minute Walk Test Distance

Change in functional exercise capacity assessed using the 2-Minute Walk Test, measured as total distance walked in meters.

Time frame: Baseline, end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Handgrip Strength

Change in upper extremity muscle strength assessed using handgrip dynamometry, measured in kilograms, with lower values indicating reduced strength.

Time frame: Baseline, end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Secondary Outcome: Sensory Nerve Conduction Velocity

Change in sensory nerve conduction velocity of predefined sensory nerves assessed by nerve conduction studies, measured in meters per second (m/s), with lower velocities indicating greater demyelination or conduction slowing.

Time frame: Baseline (prior to initiation of chemotherapy), end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks after chemotherapy initiation), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Serum Nerve Growth Factor Level

Change in serum nerve growth factor (NGF) level, measured using a validated immunoassay.

Time frame: Baseline, end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks after chemotherapy initiation), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Change in Circulating Inflammatory Cytokine Levels

Change in circulating levels of selected pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines measured using a multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Time frame: Baseline, end of chemotherapy (up to approximately 24 weeks), and 3 months after completion of chemotherapy.

Effect of Exercise on Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Overview

Conditions

Interventions

Eligibility

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes

Central Contacts