Nina Niu Sanford, Assistant Professor and Chief of Gastrointestinal Radiation Oncology at Harvard/Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital, shared a post on X:

“2 additional thoughts regarding CHALLENGE trial as I return to clinic:

What level of evidence should be required before implementing an exercise program into cancer survivorship? Do we *need* a large RCT demonstrating a whopping OS improvement? Particularly in context of prior studies suggesting many mental, physical benefits to exercise (and with low/no toxicity)? There are plenty of other ancillary support services we pay for in oncology – nutritional counseling, social work, etc – do they have corresponding RCTs showing survival benefit?

I would also like to see a formal cost breakdown of the trial exercise program. Many are surmising it would be massive, but actual #s would help. May inform Q1 above, plus place into context with other therapies and services we currently sponsor.”

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Nina Niu Sanford

Nina Niu Sanford: 2 Additional Thoughts on the CHALLENGE Trial from ASCO 2025

“2 additional thoughts regarding CHALLENGE trial as I return to clinic:

I would also like to see a formal cost breakdown of the trial exercise program. Many are surmising it would be massive, but actual #s would help. May inform Q1 above, plus place into context with other therapies and services we currently sponsor.”