title: Influence of a six month endurance exercise program on the immune function of prostate cancer patients undergoing Antiandrogen- or Chemotherapy: design and rationale of the ProImmun study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exercise seems to minimize prostate cancer specific mortality risk and treatment related side effects like fatigue and incontinence. However the influence of physical activity on the immunological level remains uncertain. Even prostate cancer patients undergoing palliative treatment often have a relatively long life span compared to other cancer entities. To optimize exercise programs and their outcomes it is essential to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Further, it is important to discriminate between different exercise protocols and therapy regimes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ProImmun study is a prospective multicenter patient preference randomized controlled trial investigating the influence of a 24 week endurance exercise program in 80-100 prostate cancer patients by comparing patients undergoing Antiandrogen therapy combined with exercise (AE), Antiandrogen therapy without exercise (A), Chemotherapy with exercise(CE) or Chemotherapy without exercise (C). The primary outcome of the study is a change in prostate cancer relevant cytokines and hormones (IL-6, MIF, IGF-1, Testosterone). Secondary endpoints are immune cell ratios, oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity levels, VO2 peak, fatigue and quality of life. Patients of the intervention group exercise five times per week, while two sessions are supervised. During the supervised sessions patients (AE and CE) exercise for 33 minutes on a bicycle ergometer at 70-75% of their VO2 peak. To assess long term effects and sustainability of the intervention two follow-up assessments are arranged 12 and 18 month after the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ProImmun study is the first trial which primarily investigates immunological effects of a six month endurance exercise program in prostate cancer patients during palliative care. Separating patients treated with Antiandrogen therapy from those who are additionally treated with Chemotherapy might allow a more specific view on the influence of endurance training interventions and the impact of different therapy protocols on the immune function.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00004739.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zimmer
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.forename: Wilhelm
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.forename: Eva Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Zopf
authors.forename: Freerk T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Baumann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000726:Androgen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000726:Androgen Antagonists