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Another
item to the list of exercise's well-documented health benefits
Exercise
can reduce the risk of getting initial incidence of several different types of
cancers, can often improve prognosis in cancer patients, and can reduce the
risk of recurrence and secondary cancers survivors of some types of cancers.
However, the mechanism behind these phenomena has been unknown.
A
preliminary study suggests that when cancer survivors exercise for several
weeks after they finish chemotherapy, their immune systems remodel themselves
to become more effective, potentially fending off future incidents of cancer.
Laura
Bilek, Graham Sharp, and Geoffrey Thiele, all of the University of Nebraska
Medical Center, and Daniel Shackelford, Colin Quinn, and Carole Schneider, all
of Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehabilitation Institute, analyzed T cells* in the
blood of cancer survivors before and after a 12-week exercise program. They
found that a significant portion of these immune cells converted from a senescent
form, which isn't as effective at combating disease, to a naïve form, ready to
fight cancer and infections.
Exercise and Immunity
Working
with a group of 16 cancer survivors, all but one of who recently finished
chemotherapy cancer treatment, the researchers focused on T cells, a type of
immune cell that attacks a variety of infectious agents as well as cancer
cells. After chemotherapy, previous research had shown that the majority of T
cells become senescent, with a decreased ability to fight infections and
cancers. However, Bilek says, rebuilding the population of responsive (naïve) T
cells is critical for regaining normal immune function and cancer-fighting
ability.
The
researchers first took blood samples from each of the volunteers to examine how
many senescent and naïve T cells each had. Then, these study subjects were all
enrolled into 12-week exercise programs at the Rocky Mountain Cancer
Rehabilitation Institute. All programs were individualized for the study
participants, incorporating elements of cardiovascular exercise, strength and
endurance training, and exercises for flexibility, posture, and balance, with
extra emphasis in areas where participants were weak.
After
the 12-week program, the researchers drew a second blood sample from each
volunteer and ran the same T cell analysis.
Another Reason to Work Out
Results
showed that the ratio of senescent to naïve T cells changed favorably in the
majority of participants, with most of the study subjects regaining greater
numbers of the naïve variety.
"What
we're suggesting is that with exercise, you might be getting rid of T cells
that aren't helpful and making room for T cells that might be helpful,"
Bilek says.
She
adds that this finding highlights the importance of exercise for all, including
those with cancer and cancer survivors. These two populations might benefit
especially from the heightened "cancer surveillance" -- the ability
of the immune system to seek out and destroy budding cancers -- that this study
suggests exercise brings, Bilek explains.
"There's
a litany of positive benefits from exercise," Bilek says. "If
exercise indeed strengthens the immune system and potentially improves cancer
surveillance, it's one more thing we should educate patients about as a reason
they should schedule regular activity throughout their day and make it a
priority in their lives."
###
The
above story is based on the October, 10, 2012 news release by American
Physiological Society.
The poster presentation entitled, "Effect of
Exercise on T Cells in Cancer Survivors," will be presented at The
Integrative Biology of Exercise VI meeting being held October 10-13 at the Westin
Westminster Hotel in Westminster, CO.
What are T cells?
T
cells are a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes. They make up part of
the immune system. T cells help the body fight diseases or harmful substances.
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