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Hematologic CancerCARE-TNCT07173166

Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Neurotoxicity in Hematologic Patients Receiving CAR-T Therapy

A study testing Physical activity and Physical activity and nutrition in people with Hematologic Cancer, run by Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria INCLIVA at 2 sites in Spain.

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 goal of this clinical trial is to learn if two non-pharmacological strategies can help reduce neurotoxicity caused by CAR-T cell therapy in adult patients with hematologic cancer, both sexes, aged 18 to 80 years. The strategies are: A structured physical activity program. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 80 years
Conditions the study is for
Hematologic Cancer
What is being tested?
Physical activity and Physical activity and nutrition
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
338 participants
Where
2 sitesSpain
Study dates
30 Sep 2025to Sep 2028
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 to 80 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male and female patients, aged 18 to 80 years.
  • Diagnosed with a hematological condition.
  • Initiating antineoplastic treatment with CAR-T cell therapy.

Who cannot join

  • Presence of language barriers or physical and/or cognitive impairments that hinder the understanding of the interventions or prevent proper completion of the assessment tools used in the study.
  • Pre-existing neurological or psychiatric comorbidities that may interfere with the evaluation of neurotoxic effects of the hematologic treatment.
  • Concomitant treatment with additional neurotoxic drugs not related to the study protocol.
  • History of abusive consumption of neurotoxic substances.

Trial locations and contacts

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

Marina Hernandez Aliaga, RN, MSc, PhD(c) contact

+34 655707385

marinaheral27@gmail.com

Spain2 sites, 2 recruiting
  • Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia

    Valencia, Valencia, 46010

    Marina Hernández Aliaga, +34 655707385, marinaheral27@gmail.com

    Recruiting
  • Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe

    Valencia, Valencia, 46026

    Marina Hernández Aliaga, +34 655707385, marinaheral27@gmail.com

    Recruiting

Other trials in Spain

About this study

Official title: Randomized, Multicenter, Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Non-Pharmacological Interventions on Neurotoxicity Associated With CAR-T Therapy in Hematologic Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if two non-pharmacological strategies can help reduce neurotoxicity caused by CAR-T cell therapy in adult patients with hematologic cancer, both sexes, aged 18 to 80 years. The strategies are:

  • A structured physical activity program.
  • A combination of physical activity and nutritional recommendations.
Read more

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does physical activity help lower the risk or severity of neurotoxicity after CAR-T therapy?
  • Does combining physical activity with nutritional recommendations provide greater protection against neurotoxicity than physical activity alone?

Researchers will compare two intervention groups with a control group (no intervention) to see which approach is most effective in reducing neurotoxicity and improving recovery.

Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups using stratified randomization to ensure balanced clinical and demographic characteristics:

  • Group A: Structured physical activity program.
  • Group B: Structured physical activity program combined wuth nutritional recommendations.
  • Group C: No intervention; used to establish baseline patterns.

Participants will be evaluated periodically by study professionals. Comprehensive records of symptoms, health measurements, and relevant lifestyle data will be maintained throughout the study.

Read the detailed description

A parallel-group, multicenter and randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted from July 2025 to July 2027. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of two non-pharmacological interventions in reducing neurotoxicity associated with CAR-T cell therapy in adult patients with hematologic cancer.

A total of 100 patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned into three groups using stratified randomization performed by an individual external to the research team.

The intervention will begin at least one month prior to CAR-T cell infusion. Participants will be followed weekly before, during, and for four weeks after therapy. Interventions and evaluations will be carried out in the same hospital where the patient receives treatment, and always by the same multidisciplinary team (hematologists, nurses, nutritionists, physiotherapists).

Primary and secondary outcomes will be assessed at baseline (prior to intervention), during treatment, and post-treatment follow-up. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants before enrollment.

Being tested
Physical activity, Physical activity and nutrition
Keywords
CAR-T therapy, Neurotoxicity, Nutrition, Physical activity
Medical subject headings
Hematologic Neoplasms, Neurotoxicity Syndromes, Motor Activity

What participants receive

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

  • Physical activityOther

    Patients assigned to intervention group A will follow a supervised programme of physical activity and exercise at home and during hospitalisation. All patients will follow the same exercise programme, which will be adapted to a basic, intermediate and advanced level to suit the patients' physical condition. The loads, intensity and number of sets will be adapted to each level.

    Aerobic exercise will consist of walking and/or cycling at an intensity of between two and five on the Borg perceived exertion (RPE) scale. Resistance exercise will consist of one session focusing on the trunk and upper limbs, and another on the lower limbs. Both sessions will include seven exercises, performed at an intensity of between three and four on the Borg RPE scale.

  • Physical activity and nutritionOther

    The intervention integrates a structured physical activity programme with individualized nutritional recommendations based on the Mediterranean diet. Macronutrient distribution was 50-55% carbohydrates, 30-35% fats, and 10-15% proteins. The protocol emphasized the intake of vegetables (≥2 servings/day, 200 g each), fruits (1-2 servings/day, 150 g each), legumes (≥3 servings/week, 150 g cooked), whole grains (1-2 servings/meal, 40-60 g), and low-fat dairy products (1-2 servings/day; 200 ml milk or 125 g yoghurt). Lean meats were prescribed at 3-4 servings/week (100-125 g each), fish and seafood at 4 servings/week (150 g each), nuts at 3-7 servings/week (30 g each), and olive oil as the principal fat source (≤4 tbsp/day). Micronutrients and bioactive compounds from these foods, including antioxidants, polyphenols, and essential fatty acids, were recognized as pivotal for modulating protective mechanisms and mitigating toxicological effects.

Study groups in NCT07173166
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Physical activityExperimentalPatients assigned to intervention group A will follow a supervised programme of physical activity and exercise at home and during their hospital stay. These recommendations are designed and supervised by a physiotherapist. The programme will include three weekly aerobic exercise sessions and two resistance exercise sessions, as recommended in the literature. Each session will last approximately 35 minutes and will include a warm-up, training and cool-down. All patients will follow the same exercise programme, which will be adapted to a basic, intermediate and advanced level to adapt to the patients' physical condition. The loads, intensity and number of sets will be adapted for each level. The programme is scheduled to commence one month prior to the initiation of CAR-T therapy. It is recommended that patients adhere to the professional's guidelines for a period of at least one month following treatment.
Receives: Other: Physical activity
Physical activity and nutritionExperimentalThe intervention combines a structured physical activity programme with individualised nutritional recommendations based on the Mediterranean diet. These recommendations are designed and supervised by a nutritionist and a physiotherapist. The macronutrient distribution followed standard guidelines (50-55% carbohydrates, 30-35% fats, 10-15% proteins), emphasising vegetables, fruits, legumes, cereals, dairy, lean meats, fish, nuts, and olive oil. Each food group contributes bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, including lycopene, quercetin, anthocyanins, genistein, ferulic acid, SCFAs, omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols. These have been shown to mitigate oxidative stress, inflammation and toxicological effects, thereby supporting cardio. The programme is scheduled to commence one month prior to the initiation of CAR-T therapy. It is recommended that patients adhere to the professional's guidelines for a period of at least one month following treatment.
Receives: Other: Physical activity; Other: Physical activity and nutrition
ControlNo interventionThe control group will serve to establish a baseline for identifying clinical, demographic, and response patterns of the studied variables. All procedures and interventions will be conducted in accordance with the center's standard clinical practice.

What is being measured

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

  1. Incidence and severity of neurotoxicity as assessed by American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASCT) Immune Effector Cell-Associated Encephalopathy (ICE) consensus grading system

    Patients will undergo a standardised neurological evaluation. The American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASCT) classifies immune effector cell-associated encephalopathy (ICE), which grades the associated neurotoxicity from 1 to 4. It consists of five domains: ICE score, decreased level of consciousness, convulsions, motor findings and elevated intracranial pressure or cerebral oedema. The ICE score evaluates five cognitive domains (orientation, object naming, following instructions, writing and attention) with a maximum score of 10 points.

    Measured: At baseline and from the infusion of treatment until 15 days after CAR-T therapy.

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Functional independence as assessed by the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale

    Functional capacity will be assessed using the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale . This instrument evaluates the patient's ability to perform eight instrumental activities essential for independent living (e.g., using the telephone, shopping, preparing meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, medication management, and financial management). Each item is scored as 0 (dependent) or 1 (independent), yielding a total score ranging from 0 (total dependence) to 8 (complete independence). Higher scores indicate greater independence and better functional status.

    Measured: At baseline and from the infusion of treatment until 15 days after CAR-T therapy.

  2. Physical activity level as assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

    Physical activity will be quantified using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The instrument comprises seven items and provides information on the time spent walking, performing moderate-intensity activities, vigorous-intensity activities, and sedentary behaviour during the last seven days. The results are expressed in metabolic equivalent task minutes per week (MET-min/week) and categorised into three levels of physical activity:

    • Low: no or insufficient activity.
    • Moderate: ≥3 days of vigorous activity (20 minutes/day), ≥5 days of moderate activity or walking (30 minutes/day), or a combination reaching ≥600 MET-min/week.
    • High: vigorous activity on ≥3 days achieving ≥1,500 MET-min/week, or 7 days of any combination reaching ≥3,000 MET-min/week.

    This classification allows the identification of patients at risk of inactivity and facilitates monitoring of changes across the intervention.

    Measured: At baseline and from the infusion of treatment until 15 days after CAR-T therapy.

  3. Nutritional status as assessed by the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA)

    Nutritional status will be evaluated using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), a tool that has been validated for the purpose of nutritional screening in oncohematology. The PG-SGA combines patient-reported data and clinician assessment, including weight changes, dietary intake, nutrition impact symptoms, functional capacity, and physical examination findings. Patients are categorised into three groups: well-nourished, moderately malnourished/at risk of malnutrition, or severely malnourished. The instrument facilitates the identification of patients requiring nutritional interventions, thereby providing a comprehensive overview of nutritional risk within the study population.

    Measured: At baseline and from the infusion of treatment until 15 days after CAR-T therapy.

  4. Quality of life as assessed by the Short Form 12 (SF-12)

    Quality of life will be assessed using the Short Form 12 (SF-12) health survey. The SF-12 evaluates eight health domains, which are aggregated into two summary scores: the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and the Mental Component Summary (MCS). Each domain is scored according to the SF-12 scoring algorithm, resulting in standardized scores ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better health-related quality of life.

    Measured: At baseline and from the infusion of treatment until 15 days after CAR-T therapy.

  5. Adherence to interventions

    The researcher collected attendance records, food records and self-reported activity levels as part of the follow-up of the subjects.

    Measured: At baseline and from the infusion of treatment until 15 days after CAR-T therapy.

Timeline

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

  1. First posted15 Sep 2025
  2. Study start30 Sep 2025
  3. Primary completionJul 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completionSep 2028 (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
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
338 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07173166
Sponsor's protocol ID
2025/185
Acronym
CARE-T
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
16 Aug 2025
Last updated
28 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: The dissemination of individual participant data will not occur directly. All information related to the study, including the protocol, detailed study design, primary and secondary outcomes, and summary results, will be shared through peer-reviewed scientific publications, conference abstracts, and academic presentations. This approach ensures full transparency of the study's methodology, analyses, and findings, while strictly protecting participant privacy, maintaining confidentiality, and complying with all relevant ethical, legal, and regulatory standards.

Publications

  • Borsati A, Murri A, Natalucci V, Cerulli C, Barbieri E, Lucertini F, Lanza M, Parisi A, Galvani C, Buono P, Mancini A, Fischetti F, Poli L, Di Blasio A, Iannaccone A, Avancini A, Mauri C, Ferri Marini C, Grazioli E. The Effect of Exercise-Based Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life of Patients with Hematological Malignancies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Feb 21;13(5):467. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13050467.

    PubMed 40077029
  • Richards J, Arensberg MB, Thomas S, Kerr KW, Hegazi R, Bastasch M. Impact of Early Incorporation of Nutrition Interventions as a Component of Cancer Therapy in Adults: A Review. Nutrients. 2020 Nov 5;12(11):3403. doi: 10.3390/nu12113403.

    PubMed 33167544
  • Hayden PJ, Roddie C, Bader P, Basak GW, Bonig H, Bonini C, Chabannon C, Ciceri F, Corbacioglu S, Ellard R, Sanchez-Guijo F, Jager U, Hildebrandt M, Hudecek M, Kersten MJ, Kohl U, Kuball J, Mielke S, Mohty M, Murray J, Nagler A, Rees J, Rioufol C, Saccardi R, Snowden JA, Styczynski J, Subklewe M, Thieblemont C, Topp M, Ispizua AU, Chen D, Vrhovac R, Gribben JG, Kroger N, Einsele H, Yakoub-Agha I. Management of adults and children receiving CAR T-cell therapy: 2021 best practice recommendations of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) and the Joint Accreditation Committee of ISCT and EBMT (JACIE) and the European Haematology Association (EHA). Ann Oncol. 2022 Mar;33(3):259-275. doi: 10.1016/j.annonc.2021.12.003. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

    PubMed 34923107
  • Han MW, Jeong SY, Suh CH, Park H, Guenette JP, Huang RY, Kim KW, Yoon DH. Incidence of immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity among patients treated with CAR T-cell therapy for hematologic malignancies: systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Neurol. 2024 Oct 15;15:1392831. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1392831. eCollection 2024.

    PubMed 39474369

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Physical activity and Physical activity and nutrition in people with Hematologic Cancer, run by Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria INCLIVA at 2 sites in Spain.

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 3 inclusion and 4 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 28 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in Spain. 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 Marina Hernandez Aliaga, RN, MSc, PhD(c) (+34 655707385, marinaheral27@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incidence and severity of neurotoxicity as assessed by American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (ASCT) Immune Effector Cell-Associated Encephalopathy (ICE) consensus grading system (time frame: At baseline and from the infusion of treatment until 15 days after CAR-T therapy.). 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 NCT07173166, which also lists 4 linked publications.

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 28 Jul 2026.

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