Exercise training mode effects on myokine expression in healthy adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The benefits of exercise are well known; however, many of the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Skeletal muscle secretes myokines, which mediate muscle-organ crosstalk. Myokines regulate satellite-cell proliferation and migration, inflammatory cascade, insulin secretion, angiogenesis, fatty oxidation, and cancer suppression. To date, the effects of different exercise modes (namely, aerobic and resistance exercise) on myokine response remain to be elucidated. This is crucial considering the clinical implementation of exercise to enhance general health and wellbeing and as a medical treatment. METHODS: A systematic search was undertaken in PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Embase, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science in April 2023. Eligible studies examining the effects of a single bout of exercise on IL-15, irisin, SPARC, OSM, and decorin were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was also undertaken to quantify the magnitude of change. RESULTS: Sixty-two studies were included (n = 1193). Overall, exercise appeared to induce small to large increases in myokine expression, with effects observed immediately after to 60 min post-exercise, although these were mostly not statistically significant. Both aerobic and resistance exercise resulted in changes in myokine levels, without any significant difference between training modes, and with the magnitude of change differing across myokines. Myokine levels returned to baseline levels within 180 min to 24 h post-exercise. However, owing to potential sources of heterogeneity, most changes were not statistically significant, indicating that precise conclusions cannot be drawn. CONCLUSION: Knowledge is limited but expanding with respect to the impact of overall and specific effects of exercise on myokine expression at different time points in the systemic circulation. Further research is required to investigate the effects of different exercise modes at multiple time points on myokine response.

Prostate Cancer Survivorship Essentials for men with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: protocol for a randomised controlled trial of a tele-based nurse-led survivorship care intervention (PCEssentials Hormone Therapy Study).

INTRODUCTION: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is commonly used to treat men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. Men receiving ADT experience numerous side effects and frequently report unmet supportive care needs. An essential part of quality cancer care is survivorship care. To date, an optimal effective approach to survivorship care for men with prostate cancer on ADT has not been described. This protocol describes a randomised trial of tele-based nurse-led survivorship that addresses this knowledge gap: (1) determine the effectiveness of a nurse-led survivorship care intervention (PCEssentials), relative to usual care, for improving health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in men with prostate cancer undergoing ADT and (2) evaluate PCEssentials implementation strategies and outcomes, including cost-effectiveness, compared with usual care. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This is an effectiveness-implementation hybrid (type 1) trial with participants randomised to one of two arms: (1) minimally enhanced usual care and (2) nurse-led prostate cancer survivorship essentials (PCEssentials) delivered over four tele-based sessions, with a booster session 5 months after session 1. Eligible participants are Australian men with prostate cancer commencing ADT and expected to be on ADT for a minimum of 12 months. Participants are followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months postrecruitment. Primary outcomes are HR-QoL and self-efficacy. Secondary outcomes are psychological distress, insomnia, fatigue and physical activity. A concurrent process evaluation with participants and study stakeholders will be undertaken to determine effectiveness of delivery of PCEssentials. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was obtained from the Metro South Health HREC (HREC/2021/QMS/79429). All participants are required to provide written informed consent. Outcomes of this trial will be published in peer-reviewed journals. The findings will be presented at conferences and meetings, local hospital departments, participating organisations/clinical services, and university seminars, and communicated at community and consumer-led forums. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12622000025730.

Dropout from exercise trials among cancer survivors-An individual patient data meta-analysis from the POLARIS study.

INTRODUCTION: The number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors has increased in recent years; however, participants dropping out of the trials are rarely described. The objective of the present study was to assess which combinations of participant and exercise program characteristics were associated with dropout from the exercise arms of RCTs among cancer survivors. METHODS: This study used data collected in the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care (POLARIS) study, an international database of RCTs investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors. Thirty-four exercise trials, with a total of 2467 patients without metastatic disease randomized to an exercise arm were included. Harmonized studies included a pre and a posttest, and participants were classified as dropouts when missing all assessments at the post-intervention test. Subgroups were identified with a conditional inference tree. RESULTS: Overall, 9.6% of the participants dropped out. Five subgroups were identified in the conditional inference tree based on four significant associations with dropout. Most dropout was observed for participants with BMI >28.4 kg/m2 , performing supervised resistance or unsupervised mixed exercise (19.8% dropout) or had low-medium education and performed aerobic or supervised mixed exercise (13.5%). The lowest dropout was found for participants with BMI >28.4 kg/m2 and high education performing aerobic or supervised mixed exercise (5.1%), and participants with BMI ≤28.4 kg/m2 exercising during (5.2%) or post (9.5%) treatment. CONCLUSIONS: There are several systematic differences between cancer survivors completing and dropping out from exercise trials, possibly affecting the external validity of exercise effects.

Association between Physical Activity and Reduced Mortality in Inoperable Lung Cancer.

We examined device-measured physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour at the time of diagnosis in people with inoperable lung cancer and investigated their associations with 12-month mortality. The people with inoperable lung cancer wore an accelerometer for seven days prior to the treatment commencement. The analysed PA/sedentary behaviour variables included light-intensity PA, moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), step count, the total time spent sedentary, and the usual sedentary bout duration. The data on the disease stage, clinical covariates and 12-month mortality were extracted from medical records. Cox regression models were used to estimate the association between the PA measures and 12-month mortality, and the sedentary behaviour measures and 12-month mortality. The models were adjusted for the stage and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. All the PA and sedentary behaviour variables were dichotomised at their medians for analysis. Eighty-nine participants (70 ± 10 years; 55 [62%] males) contributed valid data. The twelve-month mortality was 30% (n = 27). Compared to the participants who spent ≤4.6 min/day in MVPA (n = 45), those who spent >4.6 min/day (n = 44) had a relative risk of 12-month mortality reduced by 60% (hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.96; 18 versus nine deaths, respectively). The other variables of PA/sedentary behaviour were not associated with 12-month mortality. Higher device-measured MVPA was associated with reduced 12-month mortality in people who were newly diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer.

Suppressive effects of exercise-conditioned serum on cancer cells: A narrative review of the influence of exercise mode, volume, and intensity.

Cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the incidence is increasing, highlighting the need for effective strategies to treat this disease. Exercise has emerged as fundamental therapeutic medicine in the management of cancer, associated with a lower risk of recurrence and increased survival. Several avenues of research demonstrate reduction in growth, proliferation, and increased apoptosis of cancer cells, including breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer, when cultured by serum collected after exercise in vitro (i.e., the cultivation of cancer cell lines in an experimental setting, which simplifies the biological system and provides mechanistic insight into cell responses). The underlying mechanisms of exercise-induced cancer suppressive effects may be attributed to the alteration in circulating factors, such as skeletal muscle-induced cytokines (i.e., myokines) and hormones. However, exercise-induced tumor suppressive effects and detailed information about training interventions are not well investigated, constraining more precise application of exercise medicine within clinical oncology. To date, it remains unclear what role different training modes (i.e., resistance and aerobic training) as well as volume and intensity have on exercise-conditioned serum and its effects on cancer cells. Nevertheless, the available evidence is that a single bout of aerobic training at moderate to vigorous intensity has cancer suppressive effects, while for chronic training interventions, exercise volume appears to be an influential candidate driving cancer inhibitory effects regardless of training mode. Insights for future research investigating training modes, volume and intensity are provided to further our understanding of the effects of exercise-conditioned serum on cancer cells.

What are the most effective exercise, physical activity and dietary interventions to improve body composition in women diagnosed with or at high-risk of breast cancer? A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been recognized as a risk factor in the development and recurrence of breast cancer and is also associated with poor prognostic outcomes. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to identify the most effective exercise, physical activity, and dietary interventions to reduce fat mass, body fat percentage and body weight as well as potentially increase lean mass in women diagnosed with or at high risk of breast cancer. METHODS: A systematic search of databases was performed up to May 2022. Eligible randomized controlled trials examined the effects of exercise, physical activity and/or dietary interventions on fat mass and lean mass in women diagnosed with or at high risk of breast cancer. A random-effects network meta-analysis was conducted to determine the effects of different interventions across outcomes when sufficient studies were available. RESULTS: Eighty-four studies (n = 6428) were included in this review. Caloric restriction and combined exercise + caloric restriction significantly reduced fat mass (range, -3.9 to -3.7 kg) and body weight (range, -5.3 to -4.7 kg), whereas physical activity + caloric restriction significantly reduced body fat percentage (-2.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.4% to -13%) and body mass index (-2.2 kg × m-2 ; 95% CI, -3.0 to -1.4 kg × m-2 ) in breast cancer patients. Resistance exercise was the most effective intervention to increase lean mass (0.7 kg; 95% CI, 0.5-1.0 kg) in breast cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Multimodal exercise and diet programs were the most effective interventions to reduce fat mass, body fat percentage, and body weight and increase and/or preserve lean mass.

Prehabilitative versus rehabilitative exercise in prostate cancer patients undergoing prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: The study compared the efficacy of commencing supervised exercise in men with prostate cancer before and after prostatectomy on objective and patient-reported outcomes, hospital length of stay, and urinary incontinence. METHODS: Forty-one men were randomised to a 6-week prehabilitation or rehabilitation exercise programme. Prehabilitation involved resistance and aerobic exercise thrice weekly pre-surgery, while rehabilitation comprised the same commencing 6-weeks post-surgery. Assessments included strength, function (chair rise, stair climb, 400-m, 6-m usual, fast, and backwards walk), body composition, fatigue and quality of life, undertaken at pre-surgery, early post-surgery and late post-surgery phase, with urinary incontinence (24-h pad test) assessed at 2, 6, and 12-weeks post-surgery. Intention-to-treat and sensitivity analyses were undertaken. RESULTS: Of thirty-eight men (48-73 years), 29 completed all assessments with most undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (92.1%). In the pre-surgery phase, prehabilitation improved muscle strength (leg press: 17.2 kg; chest press: 2.9 kg; p ≤ 0.001), 400-m, chair rise, 6-m fast and backward walk tests (p ≤ 0.001-0.028). Strength and function declines in the early post-surgery phase were maintained late post-surgery. Rehabilitation showed declines of these outcomes after surgery with improvement late post-surgery (leg press: 14.6 kg, p < 0.001; chest press: 6.8 kg, p < 0.001; 400-m walk: -12.0 s, p = 0.005), resulting in no difference between groups at 12 weeks. There were no significant differences between groups for patient-reported outcomes, hospital length of stay or urinary incontinence. CONCLUSION: Pre-surgical exercise enhanced strength and function, protecting against post-surgery declines. Although exercise post-surgery is beneficial for recouping strength and function, where possible men undergoing prostatectomy are encouraged to exercise pre-surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12617001115325 registered 31 July 2017.

Time to consider the potential role of alternative resistance training methods in cancer management?

Exercise has emerged as fundamental therapeutic medicine in the management of cancer. Exercise improves health-related outcomes, including quality of life, neuromuscular strength, physical function, and body composition, and it is associated with a lower risk of disease recurrence and increased survival. Moreover, exercise during or post cancer treatments is safe, can ameliorate treatment-related side effects, and may enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. To date, traditional resistance training (RT) is the most used RT modality in exercise oncology. However, alternative training modes, such as eccentric, cluster set, and blood flow restriction are gaining increased attention. These training modalities have been extensively investigated in both athletic and clinical populations (e.g., age-related frailty, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes), showing considerable benefits in terms of neuromuscular strength, hypertrophy, body composition, and physical function. However, these training modes have only been partially or not at all investigated in cancer populations. Thus, this study outlines the benefits of these alternative RT methods in patients with cancer. Where evidence in cancer populations is sparse, we provide a robust rationale for the possible implementation of certain RT methods that have shown positive results in other clinical populations. Finally, we provide clinical insights for research that may guide future RT investigations in patients with cancer and suggest clear practical applications for targeted cancer populations and related benefits.

Exercise Mediates Myokine Release and Tumor Suppression in Prostate Cancer Independent of Androgen Signaling.

A prominent toxicity of androgen suppression in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) is loss of skeletal muscle. Exercise may induce tumor suppression through the endocrinal function of skeletal muscle; however, this is currently unknown. In this review, we summarize our work demonstrating the acute and chronic myokine response to exercise and the tumor-suppressive effect of circulatory milieu alteration in PCa patients.

Moderators of exercise effects on self-reported cognitive functioning in cancer survivors: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) assesses exercise effects on self-reported cognitive functioning (CF) and investigates whether effects differ by patient-, intervention-, and exercise-related characteristics. METHODS: IPD from 16 exercise RCTs, including 1987 patients across multiple types of non-metastatic cancer, was pooled. A one-stage IPD-MA using linear mixed-effect models was performed to assess exercise effects on self-reported CF (z-score) and to identify whether the effect was moderated by sociodemographic, clinical, intervention- and exercise-related characteristics, or fatigue, depression, anxiety, and self-reported CF levels at start of the intervention (i.e., baseline). Models were adjusted for baseline CF and included a random intercept at study level to account for clustering of patients within studies. A sensitivity analysis was performed in patients who reported cognitive problems at baseline. RESULTS: Minimal significant beneficial exercise effects on self-reported CF (ß=-0.09 [-0.16; -0.02]) were observed, with slightly larger effects when the intervention was delivered post-treatment (n=745, ß=-0.13 [-0.24; -0.02]), and no significant effect during cancer treatment (n=1,162, ß=-0.08 [-0.18; 0.02]). Larger effects were observed in interventions of 12 weeks or shorter (ß=-0.14 [-0.25; -0.04]) or 24 weeks or longer (ß=-0.18 [-0.32; -0.02]), whereas no effects were observed in interventions of 12-24 weeks (ß=0.01 [-0.13; 0.15]). Exercise interventions were most beneficial when provided to patients without anxiety symptoms (ß=-0.10 [-0.19; -0.02]) or after completion of treatment in patients with cognitive problems (ß=-0.19 [-0.31; -0.06]). No other significant moderators were identified. CONCLUSIONS: This cross-cancer IPD meta-analysis observed small beneficial exercise effects on self-reported CF when the intervention was delivered post-treatment, especially in patients who reported cognitive problems at baseline. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: This study provides some evidence to support the prescription of exercise to improve cognitive functioning. Sufficiently powered trials are warranted to make more definitive recommendations and include these in the exercise guidelines for cancer survivors.

A feasibility, safety, and efficacy evaluation of supervised aerobic and resistance exercise for patients with glioblastoma undertaking adjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Background: While therapeutically effective, chemoradiotherapy treatment for high-grade glioma (glioblastoma) is often accompanied by side effects. Exercise has been demonstrated to alleviate the adverse effects of such treatments in other cancers. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of supervised exercise incorporating autoregulation. Methods: Thirty glioblastoma patients were recruited, five declined exercise and 25 were provided with a multimodal exercise intervention for the duration of their chemoradiotherapy treatment. Patient recruitment, retention, adherence to training sessions and safety were evaluated throughout the study. Physical function, body composition, fatigue, sleep quality, and quality of life were evaluated before and after the exercise intervention. Results: Eight of the 25 participants commencing exercise withdrew prior to completion of the study (32%). Seventeen patients (68%) demonstrated low to high adherence (33%-100%) and exercise dosage compliance (24%-83%). There were no reported adverse events. Significant improvements were observed for all trained exercises and lower limb muscle strength and function with no significant changes observed for any other physical function, body composition, fatigue, sleep, or quality of life outcomes. Conclusions: Only half of glioblastoma patients recruited were willing or able to commence, complete or meet minimum dose compliance for the exercise intervention during chemoradiotherapy indicating the intervention evaluated may not be feasible for part of this patient cohort. For those who were able to complete the exercise program, supervised, autoregulated, multimodal exercise was safe and significantly improved strength and function and may have prevented deterioration in body composition and quality of life.

Feasibility of supervised telehealth exercise for patients with advanced melanoma receiving checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of a telehealth supervised exercise programme in patients with advanced melanoma receiving checkpoint inhibitor therapy. METHODS: A 8-week non-randomised feasibility pilot trial utilising a telehealth delivered multimodal exercise programme undertaken thrice weekly with assessments at baseline and post-intervention. The study was considered feasible if there were no severe or life-threatening adverse events as a result of exercise, and three or more of the following criteria were met: the recruitment rate was >50%, completion rate was >80%, median programme attendance was >75%, median exercise compliance >75%, and average tolerance was >70%. Preliminary efficacy was assessed for objective measures of physical function (2-min step test, repeated chair stand test, 30-s push-up test, and a modified static balance test) and quality of life (QoL), fatigue and other patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30. RESULTS: Eleven patients (32-80 years) were included in the study (6 female, 5 male). The recruitment rate was 48%, completion rate 91%, programme attendance 88%, median exercise compliance 82.1% and 84.9% for resistance and aerobic exercise, respectively, and tolerance 88%, with no severe or life-threatening adverse events as a result of exercise. In terms of preliminary efficacy, physical function significantly improved while QoL was maintained following the intervention. CONCLUSION: An 8-week telehealth exercise intervention is feasible and safe for patients with advanced melanoma and appears to improve physical function while preserving QoL during checkpoint inhibitor therapy.

Moderators of resistance-based exercise programs' effect on sarcopenia-related measures in men with prostate cancer previously or currently undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Older men with prostate cancer are commonly affected by reductions in lean mass and physical function following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Resistance-based exercise programs are critical to counteract the musculoskeletal toxicities derived from prostate cancer treatment and aging. However, there is significant variability in the effects of exercise interventions. Examining demographic and clinical moderators of exercise effects in this patient group can assist in identifying which subgroups of patients benefit most. Therefore, we examined the effects and moderators of resistance-based exercise programs on sarcopenia-related outcomes that included lean mass, skeletal muscle index, physical function, and muscle strength in older men with prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were retrieved from the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care (POLARIS) consortium. For the present study, we included data from trials that examined the effects of supervised resistance-based exercise interventions on lean mass outcomes, muscle strength, and physical function in patients with prostate cancer previously or currently treated with ADT. Linear mixed models were undertaken to analyse the effects of resistance-based exercise programs considering the clustering of patients within studies. Effects were evaluated by regressing the study group on the post-intervention value of the outcome adjusted for the baseline value, while potential moderators were examined by adding the moderator and its interaction term into the regression model. RESULTS: A total of 560 patients with prostate cancer (age: 69.5 ± 7.8 yrs.; body mass index: 28.6 ± 4.0 kg.m-2) previously or currently treated with ADT were included. Resistance-based exercise programs resulted in significant effects on whole-body and appendicular lean mass and the skeletal muscle index (P < 0.05), with improvements observed across different characteristics. Improvements were also observed in 400-m walk and 6-m backwards tandem walk (P < 0.05), with patients presenting with lower baseline levels deriving greater exercise effects on 400-m walk (-19.4 s, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -36.6 to -2.3) and 6-m backwards tandem walk tests (-3.0 s, 95% CI: -5.7 to -0.3). For relative muscle strength, significant exercise effects were observed, with greater effects in younger patients (0.35 kg.kg-1, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.48). DISCUSSION: Resistance-based exercise programs effectively improve well-known markers of sarcopenia in men with prostate cancer, with specific subgroups of patients, such as those younger and presenting with lower baseline levels of physical function, deriving greater effects on muscle strength and physical function, respectively.

Skeletal muscle morphology in patients receiving primary versus interval cytoreductive surgery for advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Our primary aim was to compare muscle morphology (skeletal muscle mass and density) between patients who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery versus interval cytoreductive surgery for advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Secondarily, we explored the associations of muscle morphology with survival outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed computed tomography (CT) images for 88 ovarian cancer patients (aged 38-89 years) to calculate skeletal muscle index (cm2/m2) and skeletal muscle density (Hounsfield units (HU)). A skeletal muscle index of <38.5 cm2/m2 and skeletal muscle density of <33.7 HU were classified as low. Analyses included repeated measures analysis of covariance and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: At baseline, 44.3% of patients had low skeletal muscle index and 50.6% had low skeletal muscle density, with interval surgery patients having significantly lower mean skeletal muscle density than primary surgery patients (32.2±8.9 vs 37.3±8.6 HU, p=0.014). Although both groups had similar reductions in skeletal muscle index following treatment (p=0.49), primary surgery patients had a greater reduction in skeletal muscle density compared with interval surgery patients (-2.4 HU, 95% CI -4.3 to -0.5, p=0.016). Patients who experienced skeletal muscle density loss >2% during treatment (HR 5.16, 95% CI 1.33 to 20.02) and had low skeletal muscle density post-treatment (HR 58.87, 95% CI 3.70 to 935.68) had significantly worse overall survival. CONCLUSION: Low skeletal muscle index and skeletal muscle density were prevalent at ovarian cancer diagnosis. While both groups experienced muscle mass loss, greater reductions in skeletal muscle density occurred in patients undergoing primary surgery. In addition, skeletal muscle density loss during treatment and low skeletal muscle density post-treatment were associated with poorer overall survival. Supportive care involving resistance exercise targeting muscle hypertrophic drive, and nutrition counseling during and after ovarian cancer treatment may help preserve/enhance muscle mass and density.

Supervised resistance exercise for women with ovarian cancer who have completed first-line treatment: a pragmatic study.

OBJECTIVES: In ovarian cancer (OC), suboptimal muscle morphology (i.e., low muscle mass and density) is associated with poor clinical outcomes, yet little is known about the effect of interventions aimed at improving these measures. We investigated the effect of resistance exercise after first-line treatment on muscle mass and density, muscle strength and physical function, health-related quality of life (QoL), and pelvic-floor function in advanced-stage OC survivors. METHODS: Fifteen OC survivors participated in supervised resistance exercise twice weekly for 12 weeks (in-clinic or by telehealth). Assessments included muscle mass and density (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, peripheral quantitative computed tomography), muscle strength (1-repetition maximum [1RM] chest press, 5RM leg press, handgrip strength), physical function (400-m walk, timed up-and-go [TUG]), QoL (QLQ-C30 questionnaire), and self-reported pelvic floor function (Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire). RESULTS: The median age was 64 (range 33-72) years, 10 women underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and five underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. All participants completed the intervention (median attendance = 92%; range 79-100%). Post-intervention improvements were observed for whole-body lean mass (1.0 ± 1.4 kg, p = 0.015), appendicular lean mass (0.6 ± 0.9 kg, p = 0.013), muscle density (p = 0.011), upper and lower body strength (p ≤ 0.001), 400-m walk (p = 0.001), TUG (p = 0.005), and social and cognitive QoL domains (p = 0.002 and 0.007), with no change to pelvic floor symptoms (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, supervised resistance exercise effectively improved muscle mass and density, muscle strength, and physical functioning without deleterious effects on the pelvic floor. Considering the prognostic value of these outcomes, larger studies are needed to confirm the benefits of resistance exercise in OC supportive care.

Effects and moderators of exercise medicine on cardiometabolic outcomes in men with prostate cancer previously or currently undergoing androgen deprivation therapy: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects and moderators of exercise effects on cardiometabolic outcomes in men with prostate cancer previously or currently undergoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). RESULTS: Seven trials including 560 patients were examined. Exercise resulted in significant effects on whole-body and regional fat mass (P ≤ 0.001). For whole-body fat mass, significant exercise effects were observed in patients who were unmarried (-1.4 kg, P < 0.05) and who presented with higher fat mass levels (-1.0 kg, P < 0.05). For diastolic blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), younger (-4.7 mmHg, P < 0.05) and older patients (-0.2 mmol.l-1, P < 0.10) achieved greater effects, respectively. Regarding high-density lipoprotein (HDL), patients undertaking ADT + prostatectomy + radiotherapy derived significant exercise effects (0.3 mmol.l-1, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise effectively reduces fat mass across subgroups of men undergoing or following ADT with different characteristics. For diastolic blood pressure, HDL and LDL, groups based on age and treatment history could be specifically targeted with exercise medicine.

Exercise medicine considerations for pregnancy-associated breast cancer: Characteristics, prognosis and treatment.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide and is the most common cancer diagnosis made during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. When breast cancer is diagnosed either during pregnancy or in the first-year postpartum, it is referred to as pregnancy-associated breast cancer. The aim of this review is to assess existing literature regarding the recommendations and outcomes of participating in exercise for people with pregnancy-associated breast cancer. The occurrence of pregnancy-associated breast cancer is increasing as a growing number of women delay first pregnancies. Women undergoing treatment for pregnancy-associated breast cancer are dealing with both cancer and its treatment as well as a pregnancy or postpartum period, and often encounter symptoms associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment, such as nausea, pain and fatigue while simultaneously navigating a pregnancy or early motherhood. These experiences can be barriers to participating in exercise, despite exercise being associated with numerous benefits for both pregnancy health and breast cancer outcomes. Numerous studies report the benefits of exercising during breast cancer treatment in ameliorating associated symptoms, and some studies report that engaging in exercise can lead to healthier and lower risk pregnancies. However, there is a lack of consensus around appropriate exercise programmes for this specific population. Given the associated benefits of participating in exercise for both breast cancer patients and pregnant/postpartum women as separate groups, research into exercise medicine designed specifically for the pregnancy-associated breast cancer population is needed.

Efficacy and Feasibility of Presurgical Exercise in Bladder Cancer Patients Scheduled for Open Radical Cystectomy.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the feasibility and potential efficacy of presurgical exercise in patients with bladder cancer scheduled for open radical cystectomy with follow-up postsurgery. METHODS: Prospective single-group design with assessments at baseline, presurgery, and 3 months postsurgery was used in this study. Multimodal supervised resistance and aerobic exercise was undertaken 2-3 d·wk -1 at moderate intensity for a median of 3.5 wk (interquartile range [IQR] = 1.3-5.6). Feasibility was assessed by recruitment and completion rates, patient safety, program tolerance, adherence, and compliance. Lean and fat mass were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, physical function by a battery of tests (chest press and leg press strength, 6-min walk test [6MWT], timed up-and-go, repeated chair rise), and quality of life (QoL), psychological distress, and body image by questionnaire. Hospital length of stay (LOS) and complications were assessed by medical records. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were referred with 20 recruited (67.3 ± 12.2 yr) and a presurgery intervention completion rate of 80% (16 of 20). The individual median program adherence was 100.0% (IQR = 89.4-100.0) with compliance of 100.0% (IQR = 90.5-100.0) for resistance exercise and 81.8% (IQR = 55.0-99.5) for aerobic exercise. There were no exercise-related adverse events. Body composition did not change presurgery; however, there were improvements ( P < 0.05) in leg press strength (16%), 6MWT distance (8%), timed up-and-go (12%), chair rise (10%), and multiple QoL domains including mental health. Median LOS was 8.0 d (IQR = 7.0, 15.0). Postsurgery, there were declines in components of QoL and apparent body image dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: A preradical cystectomy exercise program is feasible, safe, and well tolerated with improvements in physical function and QoL. Supervised multimodal exercise in bladder cancer patients before cystectomy can enhance physical and mental health potentially buffering the effects of surgery.

Acute effect of high-intensity interval aerobic exercise on serum myokine levels and resulting tumour-suppressive effect in trained patients with advanced prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: Although skeletal muscle releases cytokines called myokines during exercise, the kinetics of the acute myokine response to exercise (exercise-induced circulatory myokine level alteration) is unknown in patients with advanced prostate cancer. We measured myokine levels in serum obtained from patients with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) before and after exercise and assessed the growth-suppressive effect of the serum by applying it to a PCa cell line. METHODS: Nine patients with mCRPC (age = 67.8 ± 10.1 years, time since mCRPC diagnosis 36.2 ± 22.5 months) undertook 34 min of a high-intensity interval exercise session on a cycle ergometer. Blood was collected immediately pre, post and 30 min post. Serum levels of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), oncostatin M (OSM), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-15 (IL-15), decorin, irisin, and IGF-1 were determined. Growth of the androgen-independent PCa cell line DU-145 exposed to serum collected at three points was measured. RESULTS: There was a significant elevation of SPARC (19.9%, P = 0.048), OSM (11.5%, P = 0.001), IL-6 (10.2%, P = 0.02) and IL-15 (7.8%, P = 0.023) in serum collected immediately after exercise compared to baseline, returning to baseline after 30 min rest. A significant reduction in DU-145 Cell growth and the Cell Index area under the curve at 72 h incubation was observed with the presence of serum obtained immediately post-exercise (Cell Index at 72 h: 16.9%, P < 0.001; area under the curve: 15.2%, P < 0.001) and with the presence of serum obtained 30 min post-exercise compared to baseline (Cell Index at 72 h: 6.5%; area under the curve: 8.8%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study provides preliminary evidence for an acute exercise-induced myokine response and tumour growth suppression in serum after a bout of high-intensity interval exercise in patients with advanced PCa.