A phase III study of the impact of a physical activity program on disease-free survival in patients with high-risk stage II or stage III colon cancer: A randomized controlled trial (NCIC CTG CO.21).

TPS3647 Background: Observational data indicate that physical activity (PA) is strongly associated with colon-cancer specific survival. NCIC CTG CO.21 (CHALLENGE) is designed to determine the effects of a structured PA intervention on disease-control outcomes for survivors of high-risk stage II or III colon cancer who have completed adjuvant chemotherapy within the previous 2-6 months. Methods: Phase III randomized controlled trial. Target sample size of 962 patients is powered to detect a Hazard Ratio of 0.75 for disease-free survival (DFS). Trial participants will be stratified by centre, disease stage, body mass index, and performance status, and will be randomly assigned to a structured, individualized PA intervention or to general health education materials. The PA intervention will consist of a behavioural support program and supervised PA sessions delivered over a 3-year period, beginning with regular face-to-face sessions and tapering to less frequent face-to-face or telephone sessions. The goal of the PA program is to increase weekly PA by 10 MET hours/week. The PA program is delivered by physical activity consultants trained in exercise physiology and behavior change. Outcomes: The primary endpoint is DFS. Important secondary endpoints include multiple patient-reported outcomes (including those that address fatigue), objective physical functioning, biologic correlative markers (including assessment of the insulin pathway), and an economic analysis. Current Enrollment: The study is open at 19 centers in Canada and 20 centers in Australia. Accrual as of February 4, 2013 includes 212 registered and 184 randomized patients. Summary: Cancer survivors and cancer care professionals are interested in the potential role of PA to improve multiple disease-related outcomes, but a randomized controlled trial is needed to provide compelling evidence to justify changes in health care policies and practice. Clinical trial information: NCT00819208.