Pre-EMPT Version 1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Pre-EMPT: Prehabilitation in patients with oEsophgeal Malignancies undergoing Peri-operative Treatment

  • IRAS ID

    204711

  • Contact name

    Elizabeth Bruna

  • Contact email

    R&D@gstt.nhs.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    4 years, 0 months, 0 days

  • Research summary

    We propose a research project investigating the effects of exercise during pre-operative chemotherapy in patients with operable adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. These patients will undergo pre-operative chemotherapy as a standard treatment.
    Chemotherapy is known to have negative effects on patients’ fitness. However, the same patients will then go on to have major, complex surgery within 6 weeks after chemotherapy. Many patients suffer complications after surgery relating to the effects of chemotherapy, and struggle to recover after surgery. Only about 40% of patients who should have post-operative chemotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy start their treatment. This may have a negative effect on their overall survival.
    Exercise is known to have beneficial effects on patients due to have surgery. Exercise has also been shown to be beneficial in some groups of patients with cancer.
    We believe that, with the right sort of exercise (or activity) programme, patients with operable oesophageal cancer will feel better during chemotherapy, will be physically stronger going into major surgery and will recover better after surgery. This should result in more patients completing post-operative chemotherapy. This should also improve survival and quality of life in this group of people.
    Eligible patients will be those who have been considered for a ‘curative’ pathway for a diagnosis of oesophageal adenocarcinoma.
    The study will be conducted within 2 major cancer centres in Kent and South East London on whom surgery will be performed at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. The exercise program will be prescribed and monitored by an expert in physiology, exercise and cancer at the Centre for Health and Human Performance.
    The study will take place mainly over a period of 3-4 years (for all data collection and follow up). Individuals will be involved during their ‘curative’ treatment pathway (+-23 to 25weeks) and for 1 year after surgery by questionnaire.

  • REC name

    South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/SC/0438

  • Date of REC Opinion

    17 Aug 2016

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion