Author Identifier
Oliver Schumacher
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8814-9429
Daniel A Galvao
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8209-2281
Dennis Taaffe
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6381-1597
Robert U Newton
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases
Publisher
Springer Nature
School
Exercise Medicine Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
31951
Funders
Edith Cowan University - Open Access Support Scheme 2020
Abstract
Background
An increasing number of studies indicate that exercise plays an important role in the overall care of prostate cancer (PCa) patients before, during and after treatment. Historically, research has focused on exercise as a modulator of physical function, psychosocial well-being as well as a countermeasure to cancer- and treatment-related adverse effects. However, recent studies reveal that exercise may also directly influence tumour physiology that could beneficially affect the response to radiotherapy.
Methods
In this narrative review, we provide an overview of tumour vascular characteristics that limit the effect of radiation and establish a rationale for exercise as adjunct therapy during PCa radiotherapy. Further, we summarise the existing literature on exercise as a modulator of tumour perfusion and hypoxia and outline potential future research directions.
Results
Preclinical research has shown that exercise can reduce intratumoral hypoxia—a major limiting factor in radiotherapy—by improving tumour perfusion and vascularisation. In addition, preliminary evidence suggests that exercise training can improve radiotherapy treatment outcomes by increasing natural killer cell infiltration in a murine PCa model.
Conclusions
Exercise is a potentially promising adjunct therapy for men with PCa undergoing radiotherapy that may increase its effectiveness. However, exercise-induced tumour radiosensitisation remains to be confirmed in preclinical and clinical trials, as does the optimal exercise prescription to elicit such effects.
DOI
10.1038/s41391-020-0245-z
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Schumacher, O., Galvão, D.A., Taaffe, D.R., Chee, R., Spry, N., & Newton, R. (2021). Exercise modulation of tumour perfusion and hypoxia to improve radiotherapy response in prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases, 24, 1-14.
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-020-0245-z