Exercise for insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal breast cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A randomised controlled feasibility trial of exercise for improving insulin sensitivity in postmenopausal women who are overweight or obese receiving adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.
IRAS ID
326069
Contact name
Ian Lahart
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Wolverhampton
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 24 days
Research summary
Background: Postmenopausal women who are overweight/obese exhibit increased risk of developing insulin resistance (a desensitization of skeletal muscle to insulin), resulting in chronic high serum insulin and glucose, which if not managed can lead to type 2 diabetes. Insulin can activate cellular processes which contribute to cancer initiation and progress. In postmenopausal breast cancer, higher circulating levels of insulin and glucose are associated with increased risk of recurrence and all-cause mortality. Therefore, interventions are needed to reduce the risk of postmenopausal women becoming insulin resistant.
Aim: To assess the feasibility of a trial investigating the effects of exercise on insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and metabolic health in overweight/obese postmenopausal women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Methods: We will conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial recruiting 40 overweight/obese postmenopausal women starting chemotherapy for stage I-III breast cancer. A week prior to chemotherapy infusion, participants will undergo baseline testing comprising blood sampling [insulin sensitivity via oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and metabolic and inflammation markers], physical function, body composition, and quality of life assessments. Participants will then be randomly allocated to an exercise or standard care arm. To investigate acute exercise effects, participants in the exercise arm will complete one exercise session 24 hours before chemotherapy infusion; participants in the standard care arm will abstain from vigorous-intensity physical activity. A day after chemotherapy infusion, we will collect blood samples to compare insulin sensitivity (OGTT) and metabolic and inflammation markers to baseline. Exercise arm participants will then begin a 12-week exercise intervention tailored around their chemotherapy regimens. Standard care arm participants will continue their usual treatment but will be informed of current physical activity guidelines. After 12-weeks, participants will repeat baseline measurements. This study will take place at University of Wolverhampton physiology laboratories with participants recruited from Royal Wolverhampton New Cross Hospital NHS Trust.REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/WM/0014
Date of REC Opinion
21 Mar 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion