Exercise and the Tumor Microenvironment: Potential Therapeutic Implications

Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2018 Jan;46(1):56-64. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000137.

Abstract

An imbalance in oxygen delivery to demand in solid tumors results in local areas of hypoxia leading to poor prognosis for the patient. We hypothesize that aerobic exercise increases tumor blood flow, recruits previously nonperfused tumor blood vessels, and thereby augments blood-tumor O2 transport and diminishes tumor hypoxia. When combined with conventional anticancer treatments, aerobic exercise can significantly improve the outcomes for several types of cancers.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Exercise / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology
  • Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Oxygen Consumption / physiology
  • Tumor Microenvironment / physiology*