Exercise Oncology Program

The vision of the Exercise Oncology Program is to transform the field of oncology by demonstrating how exercise therapy can reduce cancer risk and improve outcomes after a diagnosis. We pursue this vision by conducting translational-driven clinical trials across diverse oncology populations along the cancer continuum. Our studies are designed using the same rigorous methods as drug trials, enabling us to deeply explore the relationship between exercise and cancer. We evaluate biological activity, safety and feasibility of exercise as well as seek to identify the most appropriate dose and identify the characteristics of individuals most likely to respond to exercise. Learn more about the team that conducts these studies by visiting the Lee Jones Lab.

Our model uses a digitized, decentralized approach to deliver a patient-centric experience while collecting data at high fidelity. We provide participants with all necessary devices, permitting full engagement from their own home. As part of the intervention, participants complete supervised exercise sessions with an exercise physiologist who guides them through structured treadmill walking sessions tailored to the study plan.

If you have any questions or would like to join the following clinical trial studies, please email [email protected].

Exercise Clinical Trials

Effects of Exercise Therapy in Men with Localized Prostate Cancer

Purpose

To examine how exercise affects prostate cancer tissue in your body

Eligibility

  • Be 18 years old or older
  • Men with localized prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance
  • Not exercising regularly for 150 minutes or more per week. Exercise is defined as purposeful exercise/movement outside of daily activities.

Intervention 

You will be allocated to one of two groups and follow these exercise programs until your next standard of care prostate biopsy.

Group 1: Structured exercise therapy
  • Receive a personalized walking exercise program
  • Participate in exercise sessions up to five times per week. Sessions are remotely supervised by a City of Hope exercise physiologist
Group 2: General exercise advice
  • Receive a standard walking exercise plan
  • Participate in exercise on your own and meet monthly with a City of Hope exercise physiologist

Additional Assessments

  • Fitness test (structured exercise therapy group only)
  • Surveys
  • Research blood draw
  • Stool collection (optional)
  • Food frequency questionnaire (optional)

Study Devices

Provided free of charge, the following are City of Hope devices that will need to be returned at the end of study.

  • Treadmill (Structured Exercise Therapy group only)
  • iPad
  • Activity tracking watch
  • Blood pressure monitor
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Scale

Investigating the Effects of Long-Term Exercise on Risk Factors for Cancer Recurrence

Purpose

To collect information on the role and effects of exercise after the completion of cancer treatment

Eligibility

  • Individuals with cancer who have finished all cancer treatments
  • Be 18 years old or older
  • Not regularly exercising for 30 minutes of moderate or 20 minutes of vigorous exercise per week

Exercise Intervention

You will participate in an exercise program consisting of treadmill walking under the close supervision of a City of Hope exercise physiologist. All exercise sessions will be performed in your home using a treadmill that will be delivered to you. Sessions will occur 3-4 times per week, with a goal of achieving 150 minutes of exercise per week over a six-month period. There is also an option to continue exercising after the six-month intervention.

Additional Assessments

  • Fitness test
  • Surveys
  • Research blood draw
  • Stool collection (optional)
  • Dietary assessment (optional)

Study Equipment

Provided free of charge, the following are City of Hope devices that will need to be returned at the end of study.

  • Treadmill
  • iPad
  • Activity tracking watch
  • Blood pressure monitor
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Scale

iPhone Exercise Study

Purpose

Apple Health is an application available on all iPhones. The application tracks information such as step count and distance walked. If you have other devices connected to the application, information from those devices will also be collected. The goal of this study is to develop a method to collect mobility data from cellphones. This data may help our research team better understand how cancer treatments affect people. We will study this information to determine whether there are patterns that can help predict future health events.

Eligibility

  • Be 18 years or older
  • Have an iPhone with the Apple Health application
  • Be able to read and follow instructions in English
  • Previous or current patient at City of Hope

Participation

You will connect your Apple Health data to City of Hope’s electronic medical record and allow sharing of data stored on your cellphone. This information can include the number of steps, hours of sleep and heart rate. The study is expected to last the time it takes to connect and share your Apple Health data. We will be able to see your previously collected Apple Health data and up to five years after the connection is setup.

Effects on Exercise on Colon Tissue Biology after Radiation in Men with Prostate Cancer

Purpose

To examine the effect of exercise on signs of disease in colon tissue and blood following radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Eligibility

  • Be 18 years old or older
  • Previously diagnosed with prostate cancer and completed pelvic radiotherapy
  • Have an iPhone with the Apple Health Application
  • Overweight
  • Be able to read and follow instructions in English

Participation

Stage 1
  • Complete a stand of care colonoscopy
  • Share Apple Health data in MyCityofHope patient portal
Stage 2 (optional)
  • Receive a personalized walking exercise program
  • Participate in exercise sessions up to five times per week. Sessions are remotely supervised by City of Hope exercise physiologist.

Additional Assessments

  • Fitness test
  • Surveys
  • Research blood draw
  • Stool collection (optional)
  • Dietary assessment (optional)

Study Equipment

Provided free of charge, the following are City of Hope devices that will need to be returned at the end of study.

  • Treadmill
  • iPad
  • Activity tracking watch
  • Blood pressure monitor
  • Heart rate monitor
  • Scale

 

Have Questions or Want to Join a Study?

Please reach out to us via email.