Using Strength Tests to Better Understand How Pancreatic Cancer Affects Muscle Mass and Quality of Life

NCT07255001 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: H25-00754
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to measure hand grip strength in adults with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Is it feasible to measure hand grip strength as part of a clinic visit?
• Are changes in hand grip strength related to changes in body composition?
• Is hand grip strength related to a person's well-being?
• Is hand grip strength related to how a tumour responds to treatment? Participants will squeeze a device with their hand to measure their hand grip strength and complete questionnaires about their well-being when they are seen in clinic for their regular medical care for PDAC.

Conditions

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC); Hand Grip Strength

Keywords

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC); Hand grip strength (HGS); Quality of Life (QOL); Body composition; Cachexia; Sarcopenia; Physical function; Skeletal muscle; Adipose tissue

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Frequency of Participants with Hand Grip Strength (HGS) Measurements at 6 Months From Treatment Start Date

  The percentage of participants with hand grip strength (HGS) test results at 6 months from treatment start date. Hand grip strength is measured in kilograms with a hand-held dynamometer.

  From the date anti-cancer therapy is initiated until the 6-month follow-up assessment.

Secondary Outcomes (202)

• Frequency of Participants with Hand Grip Strength (HGS) Measurements at Study Baseline

  At the time of the baseline assessment for the study.

• Frequency of Participants with Hand Grip Strength (HGS) Measurements at 3 Months From Treatment Start Date

  From the date anti-cancer therapy is initiated until the 3-month follow-up assessment.

• Frequency of Participants with Hand Grip Strength (HGS) Measurements at 9 Months From Treatment Start Date

  From the date anti-cancer therapy is initiated until the 9-month follow-up assessment.

• Frequency of Participants with Hand Grip Strength (HGS) Measurements at 12 Months From Treatment Start Date

  From the date anti-cancer therapy is initiated until the 12-month follow-up assessment.

• Proportion of Participants with Sarcopenia Using CT Image Alone (Sarcopenia CT)

  From the date anti-cancer therapy is initiated until the follow-up assessments at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.

Study Arms (1)

Main Study Arm

EXPERIMENTAL

The study arm all participants are enrolled into. Participants will complete hand grip strength assessments and questionnaires.

Device: Hand grip strength assessments using a dynamometer

Interventions

Hand grip strength assessments using a dynamometer DEVICE

Squeeze a dynamometer with one hand to measure hand grip strength.

Main Study Arm

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 18 years or older.
• Histological and/or radiological diagnosis of resectable, non-resectable, or metastatic PDAC. For resectable PDAC, adjuvant setting only.
• ECOG performance status 0-2.
• Life expectancy greater than 6 months as judged by the investigator.
• Planned for treatment, either as part of routine care or in combination with an investigational agent within another study.
• Ability to hold a dynamometer with one hand.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals with CT imaging performed outside of Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Individuals who are unfit to undergo CT imaging of the third lumbar vertebra (L3).
• Individuals who are currently participating in a structured moderate intensity resistance training program.
• Individuals who are otherwise judged by the investigator to be unfit to proceed with this protocol.
• Unable to comply with study assessments and follow-up.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• British Columbia Cancer Agency: lead

Study Sites (1)

BC Cancer

Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4E6, Canada

Location

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MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cachexia; Sarcopenia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Weight Loss; Body Weight Changes; Body Weight; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Thinness; Muscular Atrophy; Neuromuscular Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Atrophy; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical

Central Study Contacts

Daniel J Renouf, MD, MPH

CONTACT

800-663-3333; drenouf@bccancer.bc.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 2, 2025
• First Posted: November 28, 2025
• Study Start: December 1, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2027
• Last Updated: November 28, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)