Mechanisms of exercise in the treatment of lung cancer - a mini-review

Front Immunol. 2023 Aug 24:14:1244764. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1244764. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Lung cancer constitutes a formidable menace to global health and well-being, as its incidence and mortality rate escalate at an alarming pace. In recent years, research has indicated that exercise has potential roles in both the prevention and treatment of lung cancer. However, the exact mechanism of the coordinating effect of exercise on lung cancer treatment is unclear, limiting the use of exercise in clinical practice. The purpose of this review is to explore the mechanisms through which exercise exerts its anticancer effects against lung cancer. This review will analyze the biological basis of exercise's anticancer effects on lung cancer, with a focus on aspects such as the tumor microenvironment, matrix regulation, apoptosis and angiogenesis. Finally, we will discuss future research directions and potential clinical applications.

Keywords: anticancer mechanisms; exercise; lung cancer; prevention; treatment; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis
  • Exercise
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Thorax
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 82172511,81972125, and 82172510).