Exercise, Prostate cancer and Circulating Tumour cells trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The ExPeCT Trial (Exercise, Prostate cancer and Circulating Tumour cells): Evasion of immune editing by circulating tumour cells is an exercise-modifiable mechanism underlying aggressive behaviour in obese men with prostate cancer
IRAS ID
146754
Contact name
Sarah Rudman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 7 months, days
Research summary
Obesity is an increasing public health problem which has been shown to increase the likelihood of death in men with advanced cancer. In obesity, tiny blood particles (platelets) become stuck to individual prostate cancer cells floating in the blood (“circulating tumour cells”, CTCs) hiding them from the body’s immune system, preventing them from being killed and allowing them to spread.
There is a greater tendency for blood to clot (due to stickier platelets) in obesity, suggesting that there may be more platelet cloaking of CTCs in overweight men with prostate cancer. Exercise can reduce the stickiness of platelets and may therefore be useful in making prostate cancer less aggressive in overweight men.
This 4 year study funded by the World Cancer Research Fund aims to determine whether:
(1) In Prostate cancer there is more platelet cloaking of CTCs in overweight men compared to healthy weight men.
(2)If regular exercise reduces CTCs platelet cloaking.
(3)Whether or not platelet cloaking causes blood clot formation, and identify any genes which make platelet cloaking worse.
Participants will be men with advanced prostate cancer from London who will have their weight and height taken to assess whether or not they are overweight. Questionnaires assessing health status and blood samples will be taken at recruitment and three and six months later. In addition, men will be randomly assigned to either take part or not in an organised exercise programme for six months.
CTCs counts, measuring of platelet cloaking and a number of additional substances in blood samples will be taken to determine whether or not they change due to exercise. The study will aid in identifying why obesity makes prostate cancer more aggressive and how a simple exercise programme can improve the quality of life for overweight men with advanced prostate cancer.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1859
Date of REC Opinion
10 Dec 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion