Nutrition and exercise prehabilitation to reduce inflammation in American Indian adults with cancer
Official title: A Nutrition and Exercise Prehabilitation Intervention on Inflammatory Biomarkers in American Indian Cancer Patients
Run by University of Arizona · NCT06644560 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will test whether a 3-week nutrition and exercise prehabilitation plan can lower inflammation markers in American Indian adults with cancer who are waiting to start treatment.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Arizona Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Tucson, Arizona) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 13, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | April 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06644560 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18–80 with any cancer diagnosis who receive care at San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation, are scheduled at least three weeks before first treatment, can eat walnuts, and can perform moderate-intensity exercise are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with digestive diseases that prevent diet changes, an allergy to the intervention foods (including walnuts), or uncontrolled cardiac disease or other contraindications to moderate exercise may not benefit or may be excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a single-arm, pre–post, window-of-opportunity pilot where 30 adults receiving care through San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation will complete a tailored 3-week nutrition and exercise prehabilitation program before their first cancer treatment. Baseline and post-intervention paired blood and diagnostic biopsy tissue samples will be collected to measure host and tumor-microenvironment inflammatory biomarkers (for example CRP, IL-6, IL-10, TNFα, VEGF, CBC/CMP, Ki67, NF-κB, NOS2). Participants will receive diet counseling (including walnut-containing nutrition guidance) and a moderate-intensity exercise program with functional tests (6-minute walk, sit-to-stand) and anthropometric measures. The main aims are to test feasibility, patient acceptability, and preliminary changes in inflammatory biomarkers following the intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce systemic and tumor-associated inflammation, help patients enter treatment in better physical condition, and inform culturally tailored supportive care for American Indian patients.
How similar studies have gone: Prehabilitation programs in other cancer populations have shown improved fitness and some perioperative outcomes, but using a culturally informed prehab to alter inflammatory and tumor-microenvironment biomarkers in American Indian patients is largely novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18-80 years * Diagnosed with cancer of any kind * Scheduled at least 3 weeks out from first treatment * Receiving care at San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation (SCAHC) * Able to eat walnuts * Able to do moderate-intensity exercise Exclusion Criteria: * Digestive tract disease that would restrict diet modifications * Allergy to the foods intended for the nutrition intervention * Uncontrolled cardiac disease or other contraindications to moderate-intensity exercise
Where it's running
-
University of Arizona Cancer Center
Tucson, Arizona, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennifer Erdrich, MD — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Jennifer Erdrich, MD
- Email: jerdrich@surgery.arizona.edu
- Phone: (520) 626-2635
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Gyrotonic exercise for elders with breast cancer and Behcet disease
We’re testing whether a gyrotonic exercise program helps older people who have both Behcet disease and breast cancer.
-
PECS II vs SPSIP nerve blocks for pain after mastectomy
This study tests whether two ultrasound-guided nerve blocks (PECS II and SPSIP) differ in how much opioid patients need after mastectomy.
-
CG-7321: a first-in-human test in advanced solid tumors
We’re testing CG-7321 alone and with fulvestrant to see if it’s safe and tolerable in adults with advanced solid tumors.
-
Compare a new endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving surgery with the usual approach
This study tests whether a new endoscopy-assisted breast-conserving technique can provide similar or better cosmetic outcomes and safety compared with conventional breast-conserving surgery in women with early breast cancer who want to preserve their breast.
-
Different skin care approaches to prevent skin reactions after mastectomy radiation
This study tests three standard skin care methods to see which best prevents radiation dermatitis in people who had a mastectomy and are receiving post-mastectomy radiation therapy.
-
3D Heart Strain to Detect Early Cardiotoxicity in Cancer Therapy
This study tests whether 3D echocardiography can detect early heart damage from cancer treatments like anthracyclines or HER2-targeted therapy better than standard 2D methods.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.