Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF LIFESTYLE MEDICINE
Volume 13, Issue 1, Pages 46-60Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/1559827617725283
Keywords
cancer cachexia; systemic alterations; skeletal muscle; exercise
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Funding
- National Institutes of Health Grant from the National Cancer Institute [R01-CA121249]
- National Institutes of Health Grant from the National Center for Research [P20 RR-017698]
- SPARC Graduate Research Grant from the Office of the Vice President for Research at the University of South Carolina
- ACSM Foundation Research Grant from the American College of Sports Medicine Foundation
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Cachexia, the unintentional loss of body weight, is prevalent in many cancer types, and the associated skeletal muscle mass depletion increases patient morbidity and mortality. While anorexia can be present, cachexia is not reversible with nutritional therapies alone. Pharmacological agents have been proposed to treat this condition, but there are currently no approved treatments. Nonetheless, the hallmark characteristics associated with cancer cachexia remain viable foundations for future therapies. Regular physical activity holds a promising future as a nonpharmacological alternative to improve patient survival through cachexia prevention. Evidence suggests exercise training is beneficial during cancer treatment and survival. However, the mechanistic examination of cachectic skeletal muscle's response to exercise is both needed and justified. The primary objective of this review is to discuss the role of exercise for the prevention and treatment of cancer-associated muscle wasting. Initially, we provide an overview of systemic alterations induced by cancer and their role in the regulation of wasting processes during cachexia progression. We then discuss how exercise could alter disrupted regulatory pathways related to growth and metabolism during cancer-induced muscle atrophy. Last, we outline current exercise prescription guidelines and how exercise could be a potential behavioral therapy to curtail cachexia development in cancer patients.
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