Home walking program for men on active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer
Official title: Randomized Trial of Exercise Therapy on Markers of Progression in Localized Prostate Cancer
Funded at Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope · NIH-11387134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project sees if a year-long home treadmill walking program can change cancer-related markers and help men with low-grade prostate cancer on active surveillance avoid early treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Duarte, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $839,781 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA272678-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387134 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are men with newly diagnosed, low-grade localized prostate cancer who have chosen active surveillance, are relatively inactive, and can safely walk on a treadmill.
✕Less likely to help
Men with higher-risk prostate cancer, those already exercising at similar intensity, or those medically unable to perform treadmill walking are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
You would be one of 122 men recently diagnosed with low-grade, localized prostate cancer and starting active surveillance. Half of participants are randomly assigned to a 12-month home-based walking program (treadmill walking five days a week at moderate intensity) supported by a telemedicine platform called TeleMed-X, while the other half receive usual care plus general activity advice. Doctors will monitor PSA, repeat prostate biopsies, multi-parametric MRI, and blood/tissue markers to see whether exercise changes tumor molecular features linked to progression. The main goal is to reduce biological signs called 'nimbosus' that are associated with needing definitive treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this low-cost, low-toxicity approach could reduce the chance of needing surgery or radiation by slowing biological signs of progression.
How similar studies have gone: Exercise has been linked to better overall health and some improved cancer outcomes, but using a home walking program to change prostate tumor molecular markers and reduce progression is relatively novel and not yet proven.
Where this research is happening
-
Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
Duarte, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jones, Lee W — Beckman Research Institute/city of Hope
- Study coordinator: Jones, Lee W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Exercise therapy to slow progression in localized prostate cancer on active surveillance
A study will test whether a structured home-based exercise program helps men with localized prostate cancer who are on active surveillance avoid moving to treatment or worsening, compared with usual care.
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Examining the effects of exercise therapy on prostate cancer progression
This study is looking at how regular treadmill walking at home might help men with low-grade localized prostate cancer who are being closely monitored, to see if it can change their cancer in a positive way and possibly lessen the need for tougher treatments.
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Deep learning MRI biomarkers to predict prostate cancer outcomes
A Yale-led project uses advanced MRI images and artificial intelligence to better predict how localized prostate cancer will behave in patients.
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Biomarkers to identify aggressive prostate cancer early
A patient-friendly program to find and validate biomarkers in urine and tumor tissue that can flag aggressive prostate cancer early so men can get the right treatment sooner.
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Precision pre-surgery therapy for high-risk PTEN-loss prostate cancer
This grant plans a targeted, pre-surgical treatment for men with high-risk localized prostate cancer who have PTEN loss, using intensified hormone therapy plus an AKT inhibitor before surgery.
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Better tests to find aggressive early prostate cancer
This project develops urine and tissue biomarker tests and decision tools to help men with early prostate cancer learn whether their cancer is likely to be aggressive and needs treatment.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.