Effects of exercise and diet in patients with incurable gastroesophageal cancer: the RADICES study
Mené sur 196 patients atteints d'un cancer oesogastrique incurable, cet essai multicentrique randomisé évalue l'effet, sur leur qualité de vie, d'une intervention combinant exercices physiques et conseils nutritionnels
Background: Patients with incurable gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GAC) have an impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Exercise combined with nutritional support may improve this outcome. Careful evaluation of this supportive care strategy is needed to avoid burdening patients at this vulnerable stage with interventions that may offer no (meaningful) benefit. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of a combined exercise and nutritional intervention on HRQoL in patients with incurable GAC.
Methods: RADICES is a multicenter randomized controlled trial aiming to include 196 patients with incurable GAC. Participants are randomly assigned (1:1) to a patient tailored intervention or a control group. The intervention group is provided with two training sessions per week and biweekly nutritional consultations, delivered by trained physiotherapists and dietitians, during 12 weeks. The control group receives usual care supplemented with general physical activity advice.
The primary outcome is the difference in HRQoL between the intervention group and the control group at 12 weeks, accounting for baseline HRQoL, measured by the EORTC QLQ-C30 summary score. HRQoL is assessed at baseline, 6, 12 weeks, and every 3 months thereafter up to 1 year. Key secondary outcomes include patient-reported outcomes, cardiorespiratory fitness, dietary intake, disease progression, overall survival and cost-effectiveness. Adherence and safety are monitored throughout the intervention period.
Discussion: This study will generate evidence on the effectiveness of a patient tailored combined exercise and nutritional intervention in patients with incurable GAC. If effective for HRQoL, this intervention could be integrated into standard care for patients with incurable GAC.
JNCI Cancer Spectrum , résumé, 2026