PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:~I. Determine how circulating immune cell abundance and function (via cell counts & cytokine profile) of CLL patients respond to acute (single bout) maximal exercise and how this differs from the response observed in group of age-matched controls by monitoring cardiopulmonary parameters and mobilization of immune cell phenotypes.~II. Determine how circulating immune cell mobilization and function (cell counts & cytokine profile) of CLL patients respond to a 12-week semi-supervised training program of moderate to high intensity, aerobic based exercise.~OUTLINE: CLL patients and healthy participants are assigned to Aim 1. CLL patients who complete all Aim 1 activities are assigned to Aim 2.~AIM 1: Participants undergo measurement of height/weight and vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, heart and breathing rate), complete lung function testing (spirometry), undergo an exercise test (cardiopulmonary exercise testing [CPET]), and undergo collection of blood samples on study. Participants may also undergo dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan on study.~AIM 2: CLL patients complete aerobic based training program on study. Patients then complete all Aim 1 activities again after completion of aerobic based training program.
This clinical trial studies the effect of short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) exercise on immune characteristics and function (phenotype) of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Most newly-diagnosed CLL patients have early-stage disease at the time of diagnosis and do not require treatment. Despite not needing therapy, these patients have significant immune dysfunction. This may lead to an increased risk of serious infections requiring hospitalization and an increased risk of secondary non-blood-based (hematologic) cancers. Increasing CLL patients overall physical fitness levels, through exercise during the observation stage, may provide a realistic approach means to increase survival, decrease treatment-related side effects, and improve immune function. Information learned from this study may help researchers determine whether a particular exercise regimen can be used to strengthen the immune system of CLL patients, delay time to disease progression, assess the need for treatment, and assess infection rates.