Exercise as Medicine in Cardio-Oncology: Reducing Health Disparities in Hispanic and Latina Breast Cancer Survivors.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to access the current state of the evidence in exercise as medicine for cardio-oncology in Hispanic and Latina breast cancer survivors and to provide our preliminary data on the effects of supervised aerobic and resistance training on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in this population. RECENT FINDINGS: Breast cancer survivors have a higher risk of CVD; particularly Hispanic and Latina breast cancer survivors have a higher burden than their White counterparts. Exercise has been shown to reduce CVD risk in breast cancer survivors; however, evidence in Hispanic and Latina breast cancer survivors is scarce. Our review highlights a clear need for exercise oncology clinical trials in Hispanic and Latina breast cancer survivors targeting CVD risk factors. Moreover, our exploratory results highlight that 16 weeks of aerobic and resistance training may reduce the 10-year risk of developing CVD by 15% in Hispanic and Latina breast cancer survivors.

How does brief guided mindfulness meditation enhance empathic concern in novice meditators?: A pilot test of the suggestion hypothesis vs. the mindfulness hypothesis.

Despite the widespread popularity of mindfulness meditation for its various benefits, the mechanism underlying the meditation process has rarely been explored. Here, we present two preliminary studies designed to test alternative hypotheses: whether the effect of brief guided mindfulness meditation on empathic concern arises from verbal suggestion (suggestion hypothesis) or as a byproduct of an induced mindfulness state (mindfulness hypothesis). Study 1 was a pilot randomized control trial of sitting (breath-and-body) meditation vs. compassion meditation that provided preliminary support for the mindfulness hypothesis. Study 2 was set up to rule out the possibility that the meditation effects observed in Study 1 were the effects of repeated measures. An inactive control group of participants underwent the repeated measures of empathic concern with no meditation in between. The pre-post comparison demonstrated no significant changes in the measures. Thus, the results of two studies supported the mindfulness hypothesis. Limitations of the present study and future research directions are discussed.

Penile Fracture: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To review the causes and management of penile fracture and to compare between surgical and conservative management as well as immediate and delayed interventions in terms of overall and specific complications. METHODS: A search of all reported literature was conducted for all articles reporting on the management and outcomes of penile fractures. Full texts of relevant articles were obtained and screened according to the inclusion criteria. Outcomes measures were numbers of patients receiving surgical or conservative management, aetiology of fracture, length of admission, complications as well as the specifics of diagnostic approaches and operative management. Data was collated and where possible meta-analysed using Revman software. RESULTS: A total of 58 relevant studies involving 3,213 patients demonstrated that intercourse accounts for only 48% of cases with masturbation and forced flexion accounting for 39%. Meta-analysis shows that surgical intervention was associated with significantly fewer complications vs. conservative management (p < 0.000001). Surgical intervention results in significantly less erectile dysfunction (ED), curvature and painful erection than conservative management. There was no significant difference in the number of patients developing plaques/nodules (p = 0.94). Meta-analysis shows that overall early surgery is preferable to delayed surgery but that rates of ED are not significantly different. DISCUSSION: Early surgical intervention is associated with significantly fewer complications than conservative management or delayed surgery. The combined outcome of rapid diagnosis by history and clinical examination and swift surgical intervention is key for reconstruction with minimal long-term complications.

Measurement of Cognitive Function in Exercise Oncology Studies in Patients Treated With Chemotherapy: A Scoping Review.

Cancer-associated cognitive deficits following chemotherapy have received increased attention in clinical research. Exercise has been shown to preserve cognitive function in cancer patients, though the overall effect is mixed. Here we present a scoping review of the published literature summarizing methods used to assess cognitive function in exercise oncology trials. Methods: PubMed, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases were searched using keywords "cognition," "cancer" OR "neoplasm" OR "tumor," "chemotherapy" and "exercise" OR "physical activity." Studies eligible for inclusion include prospective studies that were published in English in peer-reviewed journals that include a method of assessing cognitive function in adult cancer patients, in which an exercise modality or method of quantifying exercise habits was evident. Studies were excluded if they included a pediatric population, patients that were not diagnosed with cancer, or were systematic/narrative/scoping reviews, protocol papers or dissertation/theses. Results: A total of 29 studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 29 unique assessments were used to evaluate cognitive function, including patient-reported outcomes (PROs; n = 8) and objective (n = 21) methods. More than half (n = 17) of included studies relied on PROs while 12 studies utilized objective measures of cognitive function Cognitive domains of the PROs were limited in scope, focusing on memory and attention/concentration while the objective measures were broader and inclusive of multiple domains. Conclusion: The results of this review indicate that mixed approaches to evaluating cognitive function in cancer patients pose a major limitation to understanding the role of exercise as an integrative approach. The evidence demonstrates a need for more uniform assessment of cognitive function in exercise oncology trials.

Resistance Exercise and Skeletal Muscle-Related Outcomes in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle loss is prevalent throughout the cancer continuum and correlates with morbidity and mortality. Resistance exercise has been trialed to mitigate skeletal muscle loss. This systematic review summarizes and qualitatively synthesizes the effects of resistance exercise on muscle-related outcomes in adult cancer populations, including skeletal muscle mass, performance and muscle-related biomarkers. METHODS: The systematic review protocol was developed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). We searched electronic databases including AMED, CENTRAL, CINAHL, CIRRIE, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PEDro, REHABDATA, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus (from inception to December 2021).We included randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of resistance exercise on muscle-related outcomes in adult cancer populations. Interventions that involved any resistance exercise were included. Muscle-related outcomes were categorized as skeletal muscle mass (e.g., lean mass, appendicular muscle mass), muscle performance (e.g., muscle strength, physical function), and muscle-related biomarkers (e.g., muscle cells, metabolic/inflammatory markers). Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Cochrane ROB tool. RESULTS: 02 studies from 101 randomized controlled trials were included. The majority of studies focused on breast cancer (46%) and those who completed treatment (43%). Resistance exercise interventions were largely 3-4 months long (48%), combined with aerobic exercise (56%), at a vigorous intensity (25%), and in-person/supervised settings (57%). Among the studies that assessed muscle mass, performance, and biomarkers (n = 42, 83, and 22, respectively), resistance exercise interventions improved upper/lower body or appendicular muscle mass (67-100%), muscle strength (61-68%), and physical function (74-100%). Most biomarkers did not show significant changes (75-100%) or showed inconsistent results. CONCLUSIONS: Generally, resistance exercise had positive effects on skeletal muscle mass and performance with an absence of negative effects compared to controls. Our findings demonstrated that resistance exercise may be an effective strategy to attenuate deterioration or exert improvements in muscle mass and performance outcomes.

Obesity Risk of Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumor Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Adult survivors of pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumors are at the highest risk for morbidity and late mortality among all childhood cancers due to a high burden of chronic conditions, and environmental and lifestyle factors. This study aims to epidemiologically characterize young adult survivors of pediatric CNS tumors using body mass index (BMI) to assess risk factors for obesity. Using a cross-sectional design, young adults (18-39 years) previously treated for pediatric CNS tumors and followed in a survivorship clinic during 2016-2021 were examined. Demographic, BMI, and diagnosis information were extracted from medical records of the most recent clinic visit. Data were assessed using a two-sample t-test, Fisher's exact test, and multivariable logistical regression. 198 survivors (53% female, 84.3% White) with a BMI status of underweight (4.0%), healthy weight (40.9%), overweight (26.8%), obesity (20.2%), and severe obesity (8.1%) were examined. Male sex (OR, 2.414; 95% CI, 1.321 to 4.414), older age at follow-up (OR, 1.103; 95% CI, 1.037 to 1.173), and craniopharyngioma diagnosis (OR, 5.764; 95% CI, 1.197 to 27.751) were identified as significant (p < 0.05) obesity-related (≥25.0 kg/m2) risk factors. The majority of patients were overweight or obese. As such, universal screening efforts with more precise determinants of body composition than BMI, risk stratification, and targeted lifestyle interventions are warranted during survivorship care.

Improving Cognitive Function Through High-Intensity Interval Training in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: More than 75% of patients with breast cancer treated with chemotherapy experience cognitive impairments (eg, memory and attention problems), commonly known as chemo-brain. Exercise, especially aerobic high-intensity interval training (HIIT), is associated with better cognitive function in healthy populations. However, clinical trials testing the impact of exercise interventions on chemotherapy-induced cognitive decline in patients with cancer are lacking, and the mechanisms through which exercise could improve cognitive function are unclear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the Improving Cognitive Function Through High-Intensity Interval Training in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy trial is to examine the effects of HIIT on cognitive function in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: This 2-arm, single-center, pilot randomized controlled trial will randomize 50 patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy to HIIT or attention control. The HIIT group will perform a supervised 16-week, thrice-weekly intervention, with each session including a 5-minute warm-up at 10% maximal power output (POmax), 10 sets of alternating 1-minute high-intensity (90% POmax) and 1-minute recovery (10% POmax) intervals, and a 5-minute cooldown (10% POmax). The attention control group will receive a stretching program with no exercise components and be asked to maintain their exercise levels for 16 weeks. The primary outcomes of the study are executive function and memory measured using the National Institutes of Health toolbox and resting-state connectivity and diffusion tensor imaging microstructure evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging. The secondary and tertiary outcomes include cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, physical fitness, and psychosocial health. The study has been approved by the institutional review board of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (20-222). RESULTS: The trial was funded in January 2019, with recruitment started in June 2021. As of May 2022, a total of 4 patients have consented and been randomized (n=2, 50% to exercise; n=1, 25% to control; and n=1, 25% nonrandomized). Trial completion is expected in January 2024. CONCLUSIONS: This first-of-its-kind study incorporates a novel exercise intervention (ie, HIIT) and comprehensive cognitive measures. If positive, our findings will establish the pilot efficacy of HIIT on chemotherapy-induced cognitive function in patients with breast cancer, providing the foundation for future larger phase-II and phase-III trials to confirm the findings and potentially establish HIIT as a standard of care for women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04724499; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04724499. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/39740.

Incorporating Exercise Training into Cardio-Oncology Care: Current Evidence and Opportunities: JACC: CardioOncology State-of-the-Art Review.

Cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicities are an ongoing concern throughout the cancer care continuum from treatment initiation to survivorship. Several "standard-of-care" primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies are available to prevent the development or further progression of cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicities and their risk factors. Despite exercise's established benefits on the cardiovascular system, it has not been widely adopted as a nonpharmacologic cardioprotective strategy within cardio-oncology care. In this state-of-the-art review, the authors discuss cancer treatment-induced cardiotoxicities, review the existing evidence supporting the role of exercise in preventing and managing these sequelae in at-risk and affected individuals living after cancer diagnoses, and propose considerations for implementing exercise-based services in cardio-oncology practice.

Exercise and Nutrition Interventions for Prehabilitation in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers: A Narrative Review.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute over 25% of global cancer cases annually, with hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) cancers presenting particularly poor prognosis and challenging surgical treatments. While advancements in clinical care have improved post-operative outcomes over time, surgery for HPB cancers remains associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with HPB cancer are often older, diagnosed at later stages, and have a higher prevalence of co-morbid conditions, leading to reduced life expectancy, suboptimal post-operative recovery, and increased recurrence risk. Exercise and nutrition interventions have emerged as safe non-pharmacological strategies to enhance clinical outcomes among cancer survivors, but their potential in the pre-operative period for patients with HPB cancer remains underexplored. This narrative review evaluates existing evidence on exercise and nutritional interventions during pre-operative prehabilitation for HPB cancer populations, focusing on clinically relevant post-operative outcomes related to frailty and malnutrition. We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify studies utilizing a prehabilitation intervention in HPB cancer populations with exercise and nutritional components. The currently available evidence suggests that incorporating exercise and nutrition into prehabilitation programs offers a critical opportunity to enhance post-operative outcomes, mitigate the risk of comorbidities, and support overall survivorship among HPB cancer populations. This review underscores the need for further research to optimize the timing, duration, and components of pre-operative prehabilitation programs, emphasizing patient-centered, multidisciplinary approaches in this evolving field.

Agent-Based Modelling of Health Inequalities following the Complexity Turn in Public Health: A Systematic Review.

There is an increasing focus on the role of complexity in public health and public policy fields which has brought about a methodological shift towards computational approaches. This includes agent-based modelling (ABM), a method used to simulate individuals, their behaviour and interactions with each other, and their social and physical environment. This paper aims to systematically review the use of ABM to simulate the generation or persistence of health inequalities. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (1 January 2013-15 November 2022) were searched, supplemented with manual reference list searching. Twenty studies were included; fourteen of them described models of health behaviours, most commonly relating to diet (n = 7). Six models explored health outcomes, e.g., morbidity, mortality, and depression. All of the included models involved heterogeneous agents and were dynamic, with agents making decisions, growing older, and/or becoming exposed to different health risks. Eighteen models represented physical space and in eleven models, agents interacted with other agents through social networks. ABM is increasingly contributing to our understanding of the socioeconomic inequalities in health. However, to date, the majority of these models focus on the differences in health behaviours. Future research should attempt to investigate the social and economic drivers of health inequalities using ABM.

Exercise oncology during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Are virtually supervised exercise interventions a sustainable alternative?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, new challenges are presented in clinical research settings to increase exercise levels, particularly in vulnerable populations such as cancer survivors. While in-person supervised exercise is an effective format to improve patient-reported outcomes and physical function for cancer survivors, the COVID-19 pandemic limited this form of exercise as a feasible option within research and cancer care. As such, exercise oncology interventions were adapted to home-based instruction. In this review, we examine the current evidence of exercise interventions in cancer populations during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. We identified that group-based virtually supervised home-based exercise was the most used format among exercise oncology interventions during the pandemic. Preliminary results support feasibility and effectiveness of this emerging exercise setting in cancer survivors; however, it needs to be further investigated in adequately designed larger trials. Additionally, we provide recommendations and perspective for the implementation of virtually supervised home-based exercise.

The Effect of Exercise and Nutritional Interventions on Body Composition in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Advanced and metastatic cancers significantly alter body composition, leading to decreased lean mass and variable effects on fat mass. These effects on body composition are associated with significant physical dysfunction and poor prognosis in patients with cancer. Whilst exercise and nutritional interventions are likely to be of benefit in counteracting these effects, relatively little is known about using such interventions in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. Therefore, in this systematic review we examine the effect of exercise and combined exercise and nutritional interventions on lean mass and fat mass among patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer. Following PRISMA guidelines, we identified 20 articles from PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, PEDro, SPORTDiscus, and REHABDATA. Overall, advanced or metastatic cancer populations comprising of mixed cancer types were most commonly examined (n = 8) with exercise or combined exercise and nutritional interventions being well-tolerated with few adverse effects. Both intervention approaches may preserve lean mass, while only combined interventions may lead to alterations in fat mass. However, further exercise and nutritional studies are needed to definitively understand their effects on body composition. As exercise and nutrition-related research continues in this understudied population, the knowledge gained will help guide supportive clinical treatments.

Myokine Expression and Tumor-Suppressive Effect of Serum after 12 wk of Exercise in Prostate Cancer Patients on ADT.

PURPOSE: Although several mechanisms have been proposed for the tumor-suppressive effect of exercise, little attention has been given to myokines, even though skeletal muscle is heavily recruited during exercise resulting in myokine surges. We measured resting serum myokine levels before and after an exercise-based intervention and the effect of this serum on prostate cancer cell growth. METHODS: Ten prostate cancer patients undertaking androgen deprivation therapy (age, 73.3 ± 5.6 yr) undertook a 12-wk exercise-based intervention including supervised resistance training, self-directed aerobic exercise, and protein supplementation. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and muscle strength by the one-repetition maximum method. Fasting blood was collected at baseline and postintervention, and serum levels of myokines-secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, oncostatin M (OSM), decorin, insulin-like growth factor-1, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3)-were measured. The growth of the prostate cancer cell line DU145 with baseline and postintervention serum was measured. RESULTS: Body weight (P = 0.011), fat mass (P = 0.012), and percent body fat (P = 0.033) were reduced, whereas percent lean mass (P = 0.001) increased, as did strength (leg press, P = 0.006; chest press, P = 0.020) across the intervention. Serum OSM levels (P = 0.020) and relative serum OSM levels (P = 0.020) increased compared with baseline. A significant reduction in DU145 Cell Index (P = 0.012) and growth rate (P = 0.012) was observed after applying postintervention serum compared with baseline serum. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for enhanced myokine expression and tumor-suppressive effects of serum from chronically exercise-trained prostate cancer patients on androgen deprivation therapy.

Obesity and prostate cancer: A narrative review.

Overweight and obese men with prostate cancer are at an increased risk of disease recurrence, exacerbated treatment-related adverse effects, development of obesity-related comorbidities, earlier progression and development of metastatic disease, and higher all-cause and prostate cancer-specific mortality. The physiological mechanisms associating obesity with poor prostate cancer outcomes remain largely unknown; however, an increased inflammatory environment and metabolic irregularities associated with excess fat mass are commonly postulated. Although research is limited, fat loss strategies using exercise and nutrition programmes may slow down prostate cancer progression and improve a patient's prognosis. This review is an overview of: 1) the association between obesity and poor prostate cancer prognosis; 2) potential physiological mechanisms linking obesity and prostate cancer progression; 3) the effect of obesity on treatments for prostate cancer; and 4) the potential for weight loss strategies to improve outcomes in patients with prostate cancer.

Efficacy of resistive exercise on skeletal muscle-related outcomes in cancer survivors: a systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Symptom burden and adverse treatment effects can negatively impact physical function, health-related outcomes, and quality of life in cancer survivors. Resistive exercise that improves skeletal muscle function can ameliorate these complications, but the central role of the skeletal muscle in mediating improvements in patient-related outcomes has not been explored. This protocol describes the rationale and methods for a systematic review that aims to determine the effects of resistive exercise on the skeletal muscle hypertrophy, muscle performance, and muscle-related biomarkers in cancer survivors. METHODS: A systematic review will be conducted on peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that employ resistive exercise interventions for cancer survivors. The following electronic databases will be searched: AMED, CENTRAL, CINAHL, CIRRIE, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PEDro, REHABDATA, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus. Studies will be considered for inclusion if they present quantitative data in adult cancer survivors on skeletal muscle characteristics (e.g., muscle mass), muscle performance (e.g., strength), or skeletal muscle-related biomarkers (e.g., myocellular satellite cells). Secondary outcomes will be physical function (e.g., stair climb) and patient-reported outcomes (e.g., fatigue). Data will be reported through a narrative that describes study design, participants, interventions, and outcome characteristics. DISCUSSION: This systematic review will help clarify the influence of resistive exercise on factors relating to the skeletal muscle in adult cancer survivors. Findings may provide insight into optimal exercise selection for evidence-based practice. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO: #277791 [under review].

Reducing Metabolic Dysregulation in Obese Latina and/or Hispanic Breast Cancer Survivors Using Physical Activity (ROSA) Trial: A Study Protocol.

Background: Latina and Hispanic breast cancer survivors (LHBCS) are at increased risk for long-term complications and poorer metabolic health, including metabolic dysregulation (MetD) before and following breast cancer diagnosis. MetD can increase risk of cancer recurrence, death, and comorbid conditions by increasing inflammation and cancer cell proliferation. While exercise improves physical fitness and metabolic outcomes in breast cancer survivors, there is a lack of studies including underrepresented and disadvantaged minority groups such as LHBCS. Methods: Our 12-month randomized (exercise or attention control) controlled trial (the ROSA trial) aims to utilize a progressive combined aerobic and resistance exercise program to improve MetD, insulin resistance, and visceral adiposity among obese LHBCS. We aim to recruit 160 women with Stage I-III breast cancer who are sedentary, centrally obese, and have completed treatment (e.g., surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) prior to enrollment. Participants randomized to the exercise group receive 16-weeks of virtually supervised aerobic and resistance training, followed by 16-weeks of unsupervised home-based aerobic and resistance exercise, and 16-weeks of follow-up. The attention control group receive a 12-month home-based stretching program. Primary and secondary outcomes are measured every 4-weeks during study visits. Discussion: The ROSA trial is the first exercise oncology trial targeting high-risk sedentary, obese LHBCS to improve MetD-related outcomes. Results of this trial will help illuminate how exercise impacts health-related outcomes, survivorship, and recurrence, and inform future exercise oncology guidelines to reduce health disparities among minority cancer survivors.

Targeting Adiposity and Inflammation With Movement to Improve Prognosis in Breast Cancer Survivors (The AIM Trial): Rationale, Design, and Methods.

Background: Obesity is a significant contributor to breast cancer recurrence and mortality. A central mechanism by which obesity stimulates cancer progression is through chronic, low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue. Exercise interventions to target chronic inflammation has a potential to improve obesity- and breast cancer-related outcomes; however, no studies have investigated the roles of exercise in modulating adipose tissue inflammation in breast cancer survivors. Also, it is unclear which exercise prescription would be optimal to maximize the outcomes. Therefore, we designed a randomized controlled trial (Taking AIM at Breast Cancer: Targeting Adiposity and Inflammation with Movement to Improve Prognosis in Breast Cancer Survivors [AIM] Trial) to examine the mechanisms by which different modalities of exercise impact chronic inflammation as a biomarker of breast cancer prognosis. Methods: The AIM trial is a prospective, three-armed, phase II randomized controlled trial investigating the effects of a 16-week supervised circuit aerobic and resistance exercise (CARE) program versus a traditional aerobic and resistance exercise (TARE) program and attention control (AC) on adipose tissue inflammation in breast cancer survivors. 276 patients who are diagnosed with stage 0-III breast cancer, post-treatment, sedentary, and centrally obese are randomized to one of the three groups. The CARE and TARE groups participate in thrice-weekly supervised exercise sessions for 16 weeks. The AC group are offered the CARE program after the intervention period. The primary endpoint is adipose tissue inflammation assessed by core biopsy and blood draw. The secondary and tertiary endpoints are sarcopenic obesity, physical fitness and function, and patient reported outcomes. The exploratory outcomes are long-term breast cancer outcomes. Discussion: This is the first randomized controlled trial examining the effects of exercise on adipose tissue inflammation in obese, breast cancer survivors. Our findings are anticipated to contribute to a better understanding of exercise modalities and mechanisms on adipose tissue inflammation that can potentially improve breast cancer prognosis. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03091842 identifier [NCT#03091842].

Fasting and Exercise in Oncology: Potential Synergism of Combined Interventions.

Nutrition and exercise interventions are strongly recommended for most cancer patients; however, much debate exists about the best prescription. Combining fasting with exercise is relatively untouched within the oncology setting. Separately, fasting has demonstrated reductions in chemotherapy-related side effects and improved treatment tolerability and effectiveness. Emerging evidence suggests fasting may have a protective effect on healthy cells allowing chemotherapy to exclusively target cancer cells. Exercise is commonly recommended and attenuates treatment- and cancer-related adverse changes to body composition, quality of life, and physical function. Given their independent benefits, in combination, fasting and exercise may induce synergistic effects and further improve cancer-related outcomes. In this narrative review, we provide a critical appraisal of the current evidence of fasting and exercise as independent interventions in the cancer population and discuss the potential benefits and mechanisms of combined fasting and exercise on cardiometabolic, body composition, patient-reported outcomes, and cancer-related outcomes. Our findings suggest that within the non-cancer population combined fasting and exercise is a viable strategy to improve health-related outcomes, however, its safety and efficacy in the oncology setting remain unknown. Therefore, we also provide a discussion on potential safety issues and considerations for future research in the growing cancer population.

Maintaining Weight Loss in Obese Men with Prostate Cancer Following a Supervised Exercise and Nutrition Program-A Pilot Study.

Supervised exercise and nutrition programs can mitigate or reverse androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) induced fat mass (FM) gain, lean mass (LM) loss, and impaired physical function. It is unclear whether these benefits are retained following transition to self-management. This study examined the effect of a home-based weight maintenance program on body composition and physical function in obese men with prostate cancer (PCa) on ADT following a 12-week supervised weight loss intervention. Eleven obese PCa patients (74 ± 5 years, 40.0 ± 4.9% body fat) on ADT (>6 months) completed a 12-week self-managed home-based weight maintenance program consisting of 150 min/week of aerobic and resistance training while maintaining a healthy balanced diet. Body composition (DXA), muscle strength (1RM), and cardiorespiratory fitness (400 m walk) were assessed. Significant reductions in weight (-2.8 ± 3.2 kg) and FM (-2.8 ± 2.6 kg), preservation of LM (-0.05 ± 1.6 kg), and improvements in muscle strength and VO2max were achieved across the supervised intervention. Across the home-based program, no significant changes were observed in weight (-0.6 ± 2.8 kg, p = 0.508), FM (0.2 ± 1.4 kg, p = 0.619), LM (-0.8 ± 1.6 kg, p = 0.146), muscle strength (-0.2 to 4.1%, p = 0.086-0.745), or estimated VO2max (0.3 ± 2.1 mL/min/kg, p = 0.649). Self-managed, home-based exercise and nutrition programs are a viable strategy to promote maintenance of body composition and physical function following a supervised intervention in obese PCa patients on ADT.

Using Exercise and Nutrition to Alter Fat and Lean Mass in Men with Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy: A Narrative Review.

Fat mass (FM) gain and lean mass (LM) loss are common side effects for patients with prostate cancer receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Excess FM has been associated with an increased risk of developing obesity-related comorbidities, exacerbating prostate cancer progression, and all-cause and cancer-specific mortality. LM is the predominant contributor to resting metabolic rate, with any loss impacting long-term weight management as well as physical function. Therefore, reducing FM and preserving LM may improve patient-reported outcomes, risk of disease progression, and ameliorate comorbidity development. In ADT-treated patients, exercise and nutrition programs can lead to improvements in quality of life and physical function; however, effects on body composition have been variable. The aim of this review was to provide a descriptive overview and critical appraisal of exercise and nutrition-based interventions in prostate cancer patients on ADT and their effect on FM and LM. Our findings are that FM gain and LM loss are side effects of ADT that could be reduced, prevented, or even reversed with the implementation of a combined exercise and nutrition program. However, the most effective combination of specific exercise and nutrition prescriptions are yet to be determined, and thus should be a focus for future studies.