Clinical trial · Interventional
Targeting Muscle-Bone Crosstalk Through Physical Therapy in Cancer Cachexia
Targeting Muscle-Bone Crosstalk: The Potential of Physical Therapy in Managing Cancer-Induced Cachexia
- Source
- ClinicalTrials.gov
- Retrieved
- Sep 9, 2026
- Layer
- normalized (units and labels harmonized; values unchanged)
- Run
- ING-CLINICALTRIALS-20260909-000002
Summary
Brief summary (as posted)
This study investigates the role of a structured physical therapy (PT) program in managing cancer-induced cachexia (CIC) by targeting muscle-bone crosstalk. Cancer-induced cachexia leads to severe muscle wasting, systemic inflammation, and functional decline, which often limits treatment tolerance and quality of life. While exercise is known to attenuate protein breakdown and modulate muscle-derived cytokines (myokines), its specific impact on muscle-bone signaling in non-metastatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy remains underexplored. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), patients aged 40 to 60 receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy are assigned to either a control group receiving standard chemotherapy and nutritional counseling, or an experimental group receiving a progressive 3-month exercise program (combining aerobic treadmill training and resistance exercises) alongside standard care. The study aims to evaluate changes in biomarker levels (such as myokines and osteokines) and functional physical outcomes to determine whether targeted exercise can effectively attenuate cachexia and improve rehabilitation outcomes prior to surgery
Conditions
Conditions (2)
Free-text conditions as registered, with the CancerIndex entity they were reconciled to and the match type.
| Condition (as posted) | Mapped entity | Match | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancer Cachexia | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
| Sarcopenia | — | UNRESOLVED | — |
Interventions
Interventions (1)
| Intervention | Type | Mapped drug | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Physical Therapy Exercise Program | Other | — | UNRESOLVED |
Design
Arms and outcomes
Arms (2)
- type
- EXPERIMENTAL
- label
- Experimental Group
- description
- Participants receive a structured 3-month physical therapy exercise protocol combining aerobic treadmill training (3-5 days/week) and progressive resistance training (2-3 days/week) alongside standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy and nutritional support.
- interventionNames
- Other: Structured Physical Therapy Exercise Program
- type
- PLACEBO_COMPARATOR
- label
- control group
- description
- Participants receive standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy accompanied by standard nutritional support following cachexia onset, without participating in the structured physical therapy program
- interventionNames
- Other: Structured Physical Therapy Exercise Program
Primary outcomes (1)
- measure
Eligibility
Eligibility (as posted)
- Sex
- All
- Minimum age
- 18 Years
Show eligibility criteria text
Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older. Confirmed diagnosis of non-metastatic cancer (Grade 2 or Grade 3). Diagnosed with Cancer-Induced Cachexia (CIC) based on international consensus criteria (weight loss \>5% in past 6 months, OR weight loss \>2% in individuals with BMI \<20 kg/m², OR appendicular skeletal muscle index consistent with sarcopenia). Scheduled for or currently receiving standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Ability to provide written informed consent and follow a structured physical therapy program. ECOG Performance Status of 0 to 2. Exclusion Criteria: * Evidence of distant tumor metastasis (Grade 4 cancer). Severe orthopedic, neurological, or cardiovascular conditions preventing participation in safe physical therapy exercise. Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease (e.g., unstable angina, recent myocardial infarction, severe cardiac arrhythmias). Severe bone metastases or pathologic fracture risk that contraindicates weight-bearing exercises. Prior participation in regular structured aerobic or resistance exercise training within the past 6 months. Cognitive impairment or psychiatric conditions interfering with treatment compliance or informed consent.
References
Publications (0)
Data not yet available