Author Identifier (ORCID)
Abstract
Exercise-induced myokines, such as IL-6, irisin, and myostatin, play crucial roles in mediating systemic adaptations and modulating tumor progression. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on how regular moderate-intensity exercise affects the myokine network within the tumor microenvironment (TME) of solid tumors. Results from the 86 included studies indicate that structured training (aerobic: 45–65% VO2 max; resistance: 45–70% 1RM) enhances the expression of beneficial myokines that support immune surveillance, reduce inflammation, and improve muscle–tumor cross-talk. IL-6 demonstrates a dual modulatory effect on inflammation and immunity; irisin contributes to tumor apoptosis, while myostatin downregulation supports muscle integrity and metabolic balance. Evidence suggests that exercise-induced alterations in these factors may influence tumor angiogenesis and immune infiltration, offering potential therapeutic implications. Overall, tailored exercise regimens represent a promising non-pharmacological strategy to optimize myokine signaling in cancer management. Further human studies are needed to confirm these mechanistic effects and define optimal exercise protocols. While existing data suggest that structured exercise may beneficially modulate myokine profiles and thereby influence tumor biology, these conclusions are based on limited qualitative evidence rather than quantitative synthesis. Further well-controlled clinical studies are required to confirm causality and define optimal exercise prescriptions for oncology settings.
Keywords
cancer, exercise, exerkines, myokines, solid tumors
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
7-1-2026
Article Number
2343
E-ISSN
20726694
Volume
18
Issue
14
Publication Title
Cancers
Publisher
MDPI
School
Exercise Medicine Research Institute
Funding Information
This study has been financed by the Department of Education of the Junta de Castilla y León and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the TCUE Plan 2024–2027, approved by the Order of 16 September 2024 (Grant No. 067/230003).
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Hekmatikar, A. A., Bettariga, F., Llorente, Á. L., Fernández-Lázaro, D., Suzuki, K., & Daud, D. M. A. (2026). Muscle–tumor crosstalk in exercise oncology: Exercise-induced myokines and cancer cachexia. Cancers, 18(14), 2343. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18142343