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Lung Cancer (NSCLC)STARLighTNCT07042724

Exercise and Nutrition on Early-stage NSCLC Outcomes: the STARLighT Study

A study testing Physical exercise and nutrition intervention for the neoadjuvant setting, Physical exercise and nutrition for the adjuvant setting and Health educational material in people with Lung Cancer (NSCLC), run by Universita di Verona at 1 site in Italy.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The general goal of the STARLighT study is to test whether a structured physical exercise and nutritional intervention significantly impacts clinical outcomes in patients with early-stage lung cancer. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
What is being tested?
Physical exercise and nutrition intervention for the neoadjuvant setting, Physical exercise and nutrition for the adjuvant setting and Health educational material
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
324 participants
Where
1 siteItaly
Study dates
1 Sep 2025to 30 Apr 2030
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • age ≥ 18 years.
  • confirmed diagnosis of resectable or resected non-oncogene addicted NSCLC (EGFR, ALK wild-type).
  • stage IB to IIIB.
  • candidate or undergoing systemic treatment.
  • ECOG performance status 0-1.
  • written informed consent.
  • willingness to use the technology/device specifically developed for patients' monitoring and support within the trial.

Who cannot join

  • evidence in the medical record of absolute contraindications to exercise, nutritional, or psychological intervention [i.e., heart insufficiency; uncertain arrhythmia; uncontrolled hypertension; severe renal dysfunction, bone marrow insufficiency); reduced standing or walking ability; myocardial infarction].
  • indications for or ongoing artificial nutrition support (totally compromised spontaneous food intake).
  • incapacity, or unavailability to consume oral nutritional supplements.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Alice Avancini, Ph.D. contact

+39 3403624264

alice.avancini@univr.it

Italy1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Verona Hospital

    Verona, 37131

    Alice Avancini, Ph.D., +39 3403624264, alice.avancini@univr.it

    alice.avancini@univr.it

    Recruiting

Other trials in Italy

About this study

Official title: PerSonalized nuTrition and physicAl exeRcise Intervention to Enhance earLy-staGe NSCLC ouTcomes: the STARLighT Study

The general goal of the STARLighT study is to test whether a structured physical exercise and nutritional intervention significantly impacts clinical outcomes in patients with early-stage lung cancer.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Read more
  • Can structured physical exercise and nutrition intervention positively modify the pathological complete response in patients with early-stage lung cancer undergoing neoadjuvant treatments?
  • Can structured physical exercise and nutrition intervention positively influence disease-free survival in patients with early-stage lung cancer undergoing adjuvant treatments compared to usual care?

This study will recruit two cohorts of patients. Cohort A will accrue patients who are candidates for neoadjuvant treatment and offer the opportunity to participate in a structured physical exercise and nutritional program, lasting the entire period of anticancer treatment.

Cohort B will accrue patients who are candidates for adjuvant treatments. Patients will be randomized to receive 6 months of structured physical exercise and nutritional intervention or standard of care.

Being tested
Physical exercise and nutrition intervention for the neoadjuvant setting, Physical exercise and nutrition for the adjuvant setting, Health educational material
Keywords
physical exercise;, nutrition;, lung cancer;
Medical subject headings
Lung Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung, Motor Activity

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Physical exercise and nutrition intervention for the neoadjuvant settingBehavioural

    • Physical exercise: 3 sessions/week. It will comprise high-intensity interval training consisting of 2 minutes of high-intensity intervals interspersed with 2 minutes of active recovery completed at mild intensity. The number of intervals will start with five and progress based on the patient's exercise response. Resistance training will include 3-4 exercises involving major muscle groups, performed with body weight or using elastic bands, at moderate to vigorous intensity.
    • Nutrition: will be directed to achieve estimated protein-calorie requirements. Total daily energy requirements will be calculated using the data obtained in the baseline assessment, while daily protein requirements will be set at 1.5 g/kg of body weight. Oral nutritional supplements, particularly a high-calorie, high-protein nutritional blend containing arginine, nucleotides [RNA], and omega-3 fatty acids, will be proposed.
  • Physical exercise and nutrition for the adjuvant settingBehavioural

    • Physical exercise: 2-3 sessions/week. Each session will be composed of: i) resistance training, including 6-8 exercises for major muscle groups performed in 2-4 sets of 8-12 repetitions; ii) aerobic component, starting at 10-20 minutes, based on the patient's baseline assessments, with monthly progressions up to 40-45 minutes at the end of the program. The insentisy will be set from moderate to vigorous.
    • Nutrition: will be directed to achieve estimated protein-calorie requirements. Total daily energy requirements will be calculated using the data obtained in the baseline assessment, while daily protein requirements will be set at 1.5 g/kg of body weight. Oral nutritional supplements, particularly whey protein, will be proposed.
  • Health educational materialBehavioural

    Health educational materials, including the benefits of exercise and nutrition during cancer care, the current recommendations and information on how to pursue them, as well as strategies to achieve and maintain a healthy psychological status

Study groups in NCT07042724
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Cohort A - neoadiuvant setting - interventional armExperimentalThis arm will include patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. The administered intervention will consist of a combination of exercise and nutrition support for the entire neoadjuvant treatment period.
Receives: Behavioral: Physical exercise and nutrition intervention for the neoadjuvant setting
Cohort B - adiuvant setting - interventional armExperimentalThis arm will include patients undergoing adjuvant treatment as per standard of care. The administered intervention will consist of a combination of exercise and nutrition support lasting 6 months.
Receives: Behavioral: Physical exercise and nutrition for the adjuvant setting
Cohort B - adiuvant settingActive comparatorThis arm will include patients undergoing adjuvant treatment as per standard of care. The administered intervention, lasting 6 months, will consist of health educational materials, including the benefits of exercise and nutrition during cancer care, the current recommendations, and information on how to pursue them, as well as strategies to achieve and maintain a healthy psychological status
Receives: Behavioral: Health educational material

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pathological complete response [for Cohort A]

    Defined as a lack of any viable tumor cells after complete evaluation by the local pathologist in the resected lung cancer specimen and all sampled regional lymph nodes.

    Measured: From enrollment up to an average of 3 months

  2. Quality of life [for Cohort A]

    Assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life and Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C-30). The scale ranges from 0 to 100; higher values correspond to better quality of life.

    Measured: From enrollment up to an average of 3 months

  3. Disease-free survival [for Cohort B]

    Defined as the length of time from study inclusion to recurrence of disease, assessed with the RECIST 1.1 criteria, or death due to any cause.

    Measured: From randomization to the end of follow-up at 2-year.

Secondary outcomes (15)
  1. Treatment toxicities

    Assessed by the local investigator and categorized according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 5.0).

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  2. Overall survival

    Assessed by the local investigator by checking vital status and, eventually, the date of death.

    Measured: From baseline to the end of follow-up at 2 years.

  3. Overall response rate

    Assessed by the local investigator registering the number of patients who achieve a partial or complete response to the anticancer treatment, according to the RECIST 1.1 criteria.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  4. Disease control rate

    Assessed by the local investigator registering the number of patients who achieve a stable, partial, or complete response to the anticancer treatment, according to the RECIST 1.1 criteria.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  5. Time to treatment discontinuation

    Assessed by the local investigator by registering the date and the cause of the treatment discontinuation.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  6. Immuno-inflammatory status

    Evaluated through the collection of peripheral blood samples. Circulating immuno-inflammatory parameters will be tested using multiplex ELISA.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  7. Functional capacity

    Assessed with the validated Fitmax Questionnaire, a self-reported questionnaire that estimates cardiorespiratory fitness by quantifying the capacity of walking, cycling, and stair climbing. The scale scores from 0 to 100; higher values correspond to a better functional capacity.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  8. Body mass index

    Weight and height will be combined to report body mass index in kg/m^2

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  9. Muscle mass

    Estimated using a single-slice transverse CT scan of the third lumbar vertebra, acquired for routine clinical care, using the SliceOmatic version 5.0 (TomoVision) software. This methodology is largely utilized in the oncological setting because it has the advantage of providing high accuracy and reproducible results. The following measure will be quantified: skeletal muscle area (SMA) in cm^2.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  10. Sleep quality

    Assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality questionnaire. The scale ranges from 0 to 21. Lower values indicate better sleep quality.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  11. Nutritional risk

    Assessed with the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002). The scale scores from 0 to 7; higher values correspond to a higher risk of malnutrition.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  12. Physical activity level

    Assessed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  13. Distress level

    Assessed with the Distress Thermometer.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  14. Anxiety and Depression levels

    Assessed with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The scale scores from 0 to 42. Higher values correspond to a higher level of anxiety and depression.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

  15. Quality of life [for Cohort B]

    Assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life and Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C-30). The scale ranges from 0 to 100; higher values correspond to better quality of life.

    Measured: From enrollment up to 6 months.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted29 Jun 2025
  2. Study start1 Sep 2025 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion30 Apr 2030 (estimated)
  4. Study completion30 Apr 2030 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
A master clinical protocol will be set up to evaluate the exercise and nutritional interventions in different cohorts of patients diagnosed with non-oncogene addicted with early-stage NSCLC. Cohort A, assessing exercise and nutrition in the neoadjuvant lung cancer setting, will exploit a single-arm design. Cohort B, assessing exercise and nutrition in the adjuvant lung cancer setting, will exploit a randomized controlled design.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
324 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07042724
Sponsor's protocol ID
Prog. 577CET
Acronym
STARLighT
Status last verified
Jun 2025
First submitted
9 Jun 2025
Last updated
29 Jun 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Avancini A, Giannarelli D, Ugel S, Mafficini A, Fiorini P, Scaglione I, Adamoli G, Borsati A, Belluomini L, Eccher S, Trestini I, Tregnago D, Sposito M, Insolda J, Schena F, Scarpa A, Derosa L, Milella M, Novello S, Pilotto S. Telehealth-delivered exercise and nutrition intervention to improve outcomes in patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer: protocol for the multicentre STARLighT phase II (neoadjuvant) and phase III (adjuvant) trial. BMJ Open. 2026 Jan 12;16(1):e108080. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-108080.

    PubMed 41526018

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Physical exercise and nutrition intervention for the neoadjuvant setting, Physical exercise and nutrition for the adjuvant setting and Health educational material in people with Lung Cancer (NSCLC), run by Universita di Verona at 1 site in Italy.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Jun 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Alice Avancini, Ph.D. (+39 3403624264, alice.avancini@univr.it), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Pathological complete response [for Cohort A] (time frame: From enrollment up to an average of 3 months). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07042724, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Jun 2025.

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