A review of clinical effects associated with metabolic syndrome and exercise in prostate cancer patients

Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2016 Dec;19(4):323-332. doi: 10.1038/pcan.2016.25. Epub 2016 Jun 28.

Abstract

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), a primary treatment for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, is associated with the adverse effects on numerous physiologic parameters, including alterations in cardiometabolic variables that overlap with components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). As MetS is an established risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and treatment for prostate cancer has been associated with the development of MetS, interventions targeting cardiometabolic factors have been investigated in prostate cancer patients to attenuate the detrimental effects of ADT. Much support exists for exercise interventions in improving MetS variables in insulin-resistant adults, but less evidence is available in men with prostate cancer. Regular exercise, when performed at appropriate intensities and volumes, can elicit improvements in ADT-related adverse effects, including MetS, and contributes to the growing body of literature supporting the role of exercise in cancer survivorship. This review (1) discusses the biologic inter-relationship between prostate cancer, ADT and MetS, (2) evaluates the current literature in support of exercise in targeting MetS and (3) describes the physiological mechanisms by which exercise may favorably alter MetS risk factors in prostate cancer patients on ADT.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Antagonists / adverse effects*
  • Androgen Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metabolic Syndrome / chemically induced*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Androgen Antagonists