NCT07634653 Strength Training Exercise in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Lymphoblastic Lymphoma (STEP-ALL)
| NCT ID | NCT07634653 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center |
| Condition | Leukemia |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 40 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-05-01 |
| Primary Completion | 2028-06-01 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 40 participants in total. It began in 2026-05-01 with a primary completion date of 2028-06-01.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common cancer in children and, along with lymphoblastic lymphoma, represents the most common group of childhood lymphoid malignancies. Survival rates have improved over the years, but many children still experience long-term side effects from treatment. These can include tiredness, weak muscles, pain, nerve problems, difficulty moving, and other physical challenges. Many children with ALL are also overweight at diagnosis, and weight gain often continues during treatment. As a result, about half of childhood leukemia survivors have a BMI at or above the 85th percentile. Treatment decisions are usually based on a child's symptoms and genetic risk factors. However, some risk factors such as physical activity can be modified. Exercise during treatment may help children feel better and may even improve survival. However, research on early symptom tracking and structured exercise during the first phase of chemotherapy is limited, uses different methods, and often does not include reliable patient-reported symptoms. Effective exercise programs for children with ALL and lymphoblastic lymphoma need to consider the child's age, treatment side effects, motivation, family support, and ways to encourage long-term behavior change. Because children spend little time in the hospital during the induction phase, a mix of in-person and virtual sessions supported by real-time Zoom instruction can make it possible to offer safe and supervised exercise at home. This study will use a guided exercise plan that includes tools to track sets, repetitions, intensity, warm-up time, and perceived exertion. These tools help with consistent monitoring and support both patients and caregivers throughout the program. Twenty children newly diagnosed with ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma who receive standard 3-4 drug induction chemotherapy will be invited to participate. Our goal is to determine whether a 9-week hybrid exercise program, combined with weekly symptom check-ins, is practical and achievable in both hospital and home settings.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria for children: All subjects must meet the following criteria: * Written informed consent obtained to participate in the study and HIPAA authorization for release of personal health information. OR Written assent and parental/legal guardian consent. * Age \>= 6 and \< =21 years at the time of diagnosis. * Newly- diagnosed with one of the following diseases: B-cell or T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia or Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Exclusion Criteria for children: * Subjects must not be receiving any investigational or additional anti-cancer medicines during induction. * Significant concurrent disease, illness, or psychiatric disorder or social issue that would compromise subject safety or adherence to the protocol treatment or procedures, interfere with consent, study participation, follow-up, or interpretation of the study results. Optional caregiver participation: Inclusion Criteria :All caregivers must meet the following criteria * Written informed consent to participate in the caregiver interviews. * The caregiver must be a parent or legal guardian ≥ 18 years old, and their child must be \<18 years
Contact & Investigator
Thomas Alexander, MD, MPH
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07634653 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 6 Years or older, studying Leukemia. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07634653 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07634653 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at jessica_buddenbaum@med.unc.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07634653 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Chapel Hill, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07634653 clinical trial?
NCT07634653 is sponsored by UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The principal investigator is Thomas Alexander, MD, MPH at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. The trial plans to enroll 40 participants.
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