Caloric Restriction and Exercise for Protection From Anthracycline Toxic Effects

Doxorubicin and epirubicin are part of the class of chemotherapy agents called anthracyclines that are commonly used to treat breast cancer. Although these treatments work well against the tumor, they are known to cause damage to the heart muscle, resulting in diminished heart function that can be permanent, and may also damage the blood vessels and skeletal muscles. The purpose of this study is to determine whether short-term application of these interventions with specific timing relative to the receipt of each treatment can prevent the negative effects of anthracycline treatment on the heart, aorta (largest artery leaving the heart), and skeletal muscle, and reduce treatment symptoms. Fifty-six early stage breast cancer patients who will receive anthracycline treatment will be randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups who will: 1) perform a single 30-minute aerobic exercise session 24 hours prior to each treatment; 2) eat a diet consisting of 50% less calories for 48 hours prior to each treatment; or 3) receive usual cancer care. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be used to precisely measure the function of the heart, aorta, and the lower leg skeletal muscle at rest, and again during exercise to allow detection of more subtle signs of damage. We will also measure exercise capacity (i.e. aerobic fitness), microscopic damage to the heart muscle cells, a marker released into the blood in response to anthracycline-related heart damage, tumor size in patients receiving chemotherapy before surgery, quality of life and fatigue. These measures will be performed before treatment, at the end of treatment and 1 year later.