Exercise to Improve Frailty and Muscle Health in Men with Metastatic Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy The FIERCE Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating whether a 16-week supervised exercise program combining resistance and aerobic exercises can improve frailty, muscle loss sarcopenia, and disease outcomes in men with metastatic prostate cancer who are receiving androgen deprivation therapy. This pilot randomized controlled study is the first to test this intervention in this patient group. The study is funded by the Prostate Cancer Foundation and led by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Participants are randomly assigned to either a supervised circuit training group or an attention control group. The exercise group will complete a 16-week multicomponent program with sessions supervised by a certified exercise oncology trainer and home-based aerobic exercises. They will use a stationary bike and wear an activity and heart rate monitor. The control group will continue their normal daily activities without additional exercise intervention. During the study, participants will undergo screening and extensive evaluations including fitness and strength tests, blood tests, muscle biopsies, and surveys. Researchers will assess changes in inflammation and frailty from baseline to after the 16-week program, along with muscle loss and muscle biomarkers. Participants will be monitored for safety and adherence throughout. Total participation is expected to last about 16 weeks.

Debunking the Frailty-sarcopenIa-ADT Axis in mEtastatic Prostate canceR With multiComponent Exercise: The FIERCE Trial