Better Breathing for Early-Stage Lung Cancer Survivors (New York)
Lung Cancer Better Breathing Study
This program tests whether a 12-week home-based breathing exercise routine helps people who had stage I–III lung cancer breathe better, feel less tired, and stay more active.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Roswell Park Cancer Institute Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (Buffalo, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT06869447 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a randomized, home-based intervention comparing moderate/high-intensity respiratory muscle training (RMT) to a low-intensity sham RMT using the PowerLung device, delivered with virtual supervision and unsupervised sessions for 12 weeks. Participants perform 20–30 minute sessions five days per week and provide blood samples at set timepoints; outcomes include symptoms, respiratory and lower-extremity strength, physical activity, and immune markers. The trial's primary aims are feasibility in Black and White lung cancer survivors and effects on symptom management, performance, and markers of anti-tumor immunity and inflammation. Participants are followed for three months after completing the intervention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (≥18) who self-identify as non-Hispanic Black or White, are within 24 months of a histologically confirmed non-metastatic (stage I–III) lung cancer diagnosis, have completed surgery and any additional cancer treatments, read English, and are willing to provide home blood samples are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with in situ (stage 0) or metastatic (stage IV) disease, medical contraindications to respiratory muscle training, inability to perform home-based device sessions, non-English speakers, or those outside the site's service area are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce breathlessness and fatigue, improve physical fitness and quality of life, and may favorably affect immune and inflammation markers.
How similar studies have performed: Respiratory muscle training has shown benefits for breathing, fatigue, and exercise tolerance in COPD and some small survivorship studies, but using RMT to alter immune markers in lung cancer survivors is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 years of age. * Able to speak, read and comprehend the English language * Self-identify as non-Hispanic Black or White. * Are \< 24 months of histologically confirmed invasive, non-metastatic, lung cancer diagnosis. * Have received surgical treatment (primarily stage I, II and III) and have completed all cancer treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation). * Willing to provide biospecimen samples for the study (blood) which will be collected in the comfort of the patient's home by a mobile phlebotomy group. * Participant must understand the investigational nature of this study and sign an Independent Ethics Committee/Institutional Review Board approved written informed consent form prior to receiving any study related procedure. Exclusion Criteria: * Participant has in situ (stage 0) or metastatic (stage IV) disease at study entry. * Has contraindications for respiratory muscle training (e.g., recent pulmonary embolism, aortic aneurysm, current pneumothorax). * Is actively engaging in a structured exercise program and/or meeting exercise guidelines. * Unwilling or unable to follow protocol requirements. * Any condition which in the investigator's opinion deems the participant an unsuitable candidate to participate in the study.
Where this trial is running
Buffalo, New York
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute — Buffalo, New York, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Andrew D Ray — Roswell Park Cancer Institute
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.