Exercise and nutrition program for patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Influence of a Combined Dietary and Exercise Intervention on Cytokine Profile and NK Cell Activation in Cancer Patients Undergoing Neoadjuvant Treatment.

Not applicable Interventional Hospital Beatriz Ângelo · NCT05420259

This study tests whether a combined exercise and nutrition program can help people with gastric and pancreatic cancer feel better during chemotherapy and improve their overall health.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment68 (estimated)
Ages40 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorHospital Beatriz Ângelo Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations2 sites (Loures, Lisboa and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05420259 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of a Combined Exercise and Dietary Intervention (CEDI) on patients with gastric and pancreatic cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The approach aims to modulate inflammation and improve skeletal muscle mass, potentially enhancing chemotherapy response and preventing cancer cachexia. By optimizing nutritional status during the neoadjuvant treatment period, the study seeks to explore the impact on cytokine profiles and tumor immune response. Participants will receive both the CEDI and standard care throughout the treatment.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 40 to 80 with stage II/III gastric or pancreatic cancer who are eligible for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and have a low level of physical activity.

Not a fit: Patients with a life expectancy of less than 12 months, metastatic disease, or significant comorbidities that limit physical activity may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients with gastrointestinal cancers.

How similar studies have performed: While some studies have explored exercise in cancer care, this specific combined approach during neoadjuvant treatment is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* gastric or pancreatic cancer stage II/III, eligible for neoadjuvant chemotherapy,
* age higher than 40 years and lower than 80 years,
* ECOG (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group) functional status: 0-2,
* sedentary/low physical activity level.

Exclusion Criteria:

* life expectancy less than 12 months at inclusion,
* chemotherapy regimen other than 5-Fluorouracil, Folinic acid, Oxaliplatin, Docetaxel (FLOT) for gastric and 5-Fluorouracil, Irinotecan and Oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) or gemcitabine for pancreatic cancer,
* metastatic disease,
* chronic anti-inflammatory medication use,
* known inflammatory condition (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or chronic active hepatitis)
* cardiovascular, respiratory or musculoskeletal or joint problems that preclude moderate physical activity.

Where this trial is running

Loures, Lisboa and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Pancreatic CancerGastric CancerDietExerciseBody compositionWastingMalnutrition
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.