title: Resistance training does not protect against increases in plasma cytokine levels among germ cell cancer patients during and after chemotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Testicular germ cell cancer (GCC) patients treated with cisplatin-etoposide-bleomycin chemotherapy (BEP) have excellent prognosis but have an increased risk of late-occurring morbidities, which may be associated with changes in the inflammatory profile.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the study was to explore plasma cytokine concentrations in GCC patients randomized to resistance training or usual care during BEP, in comparison with healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized controlled trial in GCC patients enrolled from an oncology clinic, including a healthy reference group for comparison purposes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-γ, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-α were measured in fasting blood samples from GCC patients randomized to resistance training (INT; n = 15) or usual care (CON; n = 15) and healthy age-matched controls (REF; n = 19). Clinical toxicity assessments and patient-reported end points were also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CON and INT were balanced at baseline. Compared with REF, CON had higher concentrations of IL-10, IL-6, and interferon-γ, and INT had higher concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α (all P < .05). At the end of therapy, concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 increased in both GCC groups (all P < .01). Three months after therapy, all cytokine concentrations were comparable with the pretreatment levels in both GCC-groups but remained elevated compared with REF (P < .05). Changes in TNF-α correlated with pulmonary toxicity (P < .01). At the end of therapy, IL-6 concentrations correlated with quality of life (P < .05) and fatigue (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GCC patients treated with BEP display consistently elevated levels of systemic inflammatory markers compared with healthy controls. Resistance training during therapy has no impact on plasma cytokine concentrations.
authors: University Hospital Centre for Health Research (J.F.C., M.R.), Department of Oncology (J.F.C., M.R., G.D.), and Centre of Inflammation and Metabolism (P.H.), Centre of Physical Activity Research, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, Department of Mathematical Sciences (A.T.), University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 5, and Centre for Healthy Ageing (J.L.A.), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; and Institute of Sports Medicine (J.L.A.), Department of Orthopaedic Surgery M, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400 Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: Jesper F
authors: JF
authors: Christensen
authors: Anders
authors: A
authors: Tolver
authors: Jesper L
authors: JL
authors: Andersen
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Rørth
authors: Gedske
authors: G
authors: Daugaard
authors: Pernille
authors: P
authors: Hojman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D055070:Resistance Training; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma