Update on the Colon Health and Life-Long Exercise Change Trial: A Phase III Study of the Impact of an Exercise Program on Disease-Free Survival in Colon Cancer Survivors

The Colon Health and Life-Long Exercise Change (CHALLENGE) trial is evaluating the effects of a 3-year exercise program on disease-free survival in 962 patients with resected high-risk stage II or stage III colon cancer. The purpose of this commentary is to provide an update on the CHALLENGE trial. As of December 31, 2013, the trial had randomized 250 patients in 20 Canadian centers and 26 Australian centers, with further expansion planned. Early barriers to accrual are reported and strategies to improve accrual are discussed. Of the 250 patients randomized to date, 89 % have stage III colon cancer, 56 % were treated with leucovorin/5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, 58 % have a body mass index of at least 27.5 kg/m2, 53 % are women, and the median age is 60 years. The CHALLENGE trial remains the only randomized controlled trial in colon cancer survivors that is examining the effects of an exercise program on disease-free survival.