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Measuring Changes in Body Composition and Physical Function in Patients With Childhood Cancers

Measuring Changes in Body Composition and Physical Function in Patients With Childhood Cancers

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05823740
Enrollment
28
Registered
2023-04-21
Start date
2023-05-01
Completion date
2026-03-31
Last updated
2026-02-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cancer, Malignant Neoplasm

Keywords

D3-creatine dilution method, pediatric, muscle mass, biological aging, physical function

Brief summary

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of obtaining repeated measurements of lean muscle mass, physical function, and biological aging in children receiving active cancer therapy. The secondary objective is to evaluate the feasibility of using the D3-creatine dilution method (D3Cr) to measure skeletal muscle mass in children with cancer. Assessments will be collected at diagnosis, once during active treatment, and end of treatment in coordination with routine imaging to monitor changes in study outcomes during active cancer treatment. Key sociodemographic, treatment and health-related factors will be abstracted from the medical record.

Interventions

Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a method for estimating body composition, in particular, body fat and muscle mass, where a weak electric current flows through the body and the voltage is measured in order to calculate the impedance (resistance) of the body. BIA will be done at baseline, during the study related to routine medical imaging, and end of the study.

OTHERD3-Creatine Dilution (D3Cr)

The D3-Creatine dilution method is a safe and noninvasive measure of skeletal muscle mass that has previously been validated in adults, neonates, healthy children, and children. D3-Creatine Dilution will be done at baseline, during the study related to routine medical imaging, and end of the study.

Cardiovascular fitness will be measured with the 6-minute walk test (6MWT). 6MWT will be done at baseline, during the study related to routine medical imaging, and end of the study.

OTHERTimed Up and Go (TUG)

Balance and mobility will be assessed by the timed-up-and-go test (TUG). TUG will be done at baseline, during the study related to routine medical imaging, and end of the study.

OTHER30-second Sit-to-Stand (STS)

Strength and muscular function will be evaluated by modified 30-second sit-to-stand (STS). STS will be done at baseline, during the study related to routine medical imaging, and end of the study.

OTHERHand Grip Strength (GS)

Strength and muscular function will be evaluated by grip strength (GS). GS will be done at baseline, during the study related to routine medical imaging, and end of the study.

OTHERPBTL p16 expression

Peripheral Blood biospecimen for PBTL p16 expression will be used for the assessment of biological aging. Blood biospecimens will be collected at baseline and end of the study for PBTL p16 analysis.

OTHERCT, MR and PET Imaging

Participants will undergo routine imaging with either computed tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the chest or abdomen, or whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Skeletal muscle mass and fat mass will be calculated at several different vertebral levels from imaging studies.

Sponsors

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
8 Years to 21 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

In order to participate in this study a subject must meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined below. 1. Ages 8-21 years at the time of cancer diagnosis 2. Must have a newly diagnosed malignant solid tumor or lymphoma. 3. Participant is expected to undergo cancer treatment with either chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, or other biologically targeted therapy. 4. Participants will undergo routine imaging with either computed tomography (CT), or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the chest or abdomen, or whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) scan. 5. Written informed consent obtained to participate in the study and HIPAA authorization for the release of personal health information. 6. English or Spanish speaking 7. Subject is willing and able to comply with study procedures. 8. Since the patient is undergoing active cancer therapy, must obtain approval from the treating physician.

Exclusion criteria

All subjects meeting any

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The feasibility of collecting body composition assessmentsup to 12 monthsThe feasibility of collecting body composition assessments will be measured as the % of participants completing all 3 assessments for each modality: D3-Creatine dilution method (D3Cr), Bioelectrical impedance Analysis (BIA), medical imaging (computerized tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET).
The feasibility of collecting individual physical function assessmentsup to 12 monthsThe feasibility of collecting individual physical function assessments will be measured as the % of participants completing all 3 assessments for each modality namely the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG), 30-second Sit-to-Stand (STS), Hand Grip Strength (GS)) at multiple time points during cancer therapy.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Feasibility of collecting repeated measurements of biological aging (p16 expression)up to 12 monthsThe feasibility of collecting repeated measurements of biological aging (p16 expression) will be evaluated as % of participants completed both pre-treatment and post-treatment assessments.
The acceptability of the studyup to 12 monthsThe acceptability of the study will be evaluated as the number of subjects approached and enrolled and number of subjects that withdraw from the study.

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORAndrew Smitherman

UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 21, 2026