Inflammation and pre-operative exercise in oesophageal cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Mechanistic study into the impact of prehabilitation on reducing pulmonary complications following oesophageal cancer surgery
IRAS ID
256782
Contact name
Krishna Moorthy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
The PREPARE for Surgery prehabilitation programme provides a personalised pre-operative exercise programme for patients undergoing a curative resection for oesophageal cancer. Since its introduction, we have observed a fall in the incidence of post-operative pneumonia following oesophagectomy. However, the underlying biochemical and histopathological effects of pre-operative exercise have not been studied and the mechanism by which prehabilitation affects post-operative outcomes is not fully understood.
Several studies have shown that exercise is associated with decreased inflammation in patients who are obese, have chronic disease or who have previously had cancer. The effects of pre-operative exercise on inflammation in patients with oesophageal cancer is not known.
Patients who are enrolled in the PREPARE for Surgery prehabilitation programme will be invited to participate in this study. During the programme weekly activity levels are measured and assessments of physiological fitness are performed at the start and end of the programme. Prior to starting their prehabilitation, patients undergo a staging laparoscopy as a part of their routine pre-operative management. Samples of muscle, fat and blood will be taken at this time for a baseline measurement of inflammation. The PREPARE programme lasts 6 to 18 weeks and finishes immediately prior to surgery. At the time of the operation to remove the tumour, further samples of muscle, fat and blood will be taken to reassess levels of inflammation.
These results will be examined to determine how changes in inflammation, physiological fitness and physical activity are related to one another and to the incidence of post-operative pneumonia.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/1604
Date of REC Opinion
1 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion