The therapeutic potential of exercise to treat cachexia.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss the role of physical exercise in the attenuation of cancer cachexia-associated symptoms, and upon the outcome of chemotherapy, with special focus on the anti-inflammatory role of chronic exercise.


RESULTS
The review addresses the recent findings regarding the positive effects of endurance and strength exercise training upon metabolic dysfunction, systemic inflammation and body composition alterations in the syndrome of cachexia. The employment of different exercise protocol strategies, in respect to intensity, duration, work load and in concomitance with pharmacological treatment is considered.


CONCLUSIONS
Cachexia is a multifactorial wasting syndrome afflicting patients with cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure, trauma, among other diseases. This condition markedly compromises the quality of life, treatment outcome and survival. Recent literature indicates an unequivocal role of chronic exercise in modulating cachexia and other cancer-associated dysfunctions. Exercise is proposed as a complementary treatment in cancer, and represents a function-preserving, anti-inflammatory and metabolism-modulating strategy with low cost, and high versatility and availability. Furthermore, exercise decreases cancer recurrence and presents a positive impact on public health management, reducing hospitalization and medication costs.
aExercise and Immunometabolism Research Group, Department of Physical Education, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Presidente Prudente bDepartment of Surgery, Faculdade de Medicina, Cancer Metabolism Research Group cImmunometabolism Research Group, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Fábio S
FS
Lira
Barbara de M M
Bde M
Antunes
Marília
M
Seelaender
José C
JC
Rosa Neto
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D001823:Body Composition; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002100:Cachexia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators