@misc{10498/26599,
year = {2022},
month = {11},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10498/26599},
abstract = {Background: Exercise training can positively impact the immune system and particularly natural killer (NK) cells, at least in healthy people. This effect would be of relevance in the context of cancer given the prominent role of these cells in antitumor immunity. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize current evidence on the effects of exercise training on the levels and function of NK cells in cancer survivors (i.e., from the time of diagnosis until the end of life).

Methods: Relevant articles were searched in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (until January 11, 2022). Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of exercise training (i.e., non-acute) interventions vs usual care conducted in cancer survivors and assessing NK number and/or cytotoxic activity (NKCA) before and upon completion of the intervention were included. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed with the PEDro scale, and results were meta-analyzed using a random effects (Dersimoian and Laird) model.

Results: Thirteen RCT including 459 participants (mean age ranging 11-63 years) met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of the studies was overall fair (median PEDro score = 5 out of 10). There was heterogeneity across studies regarding cancer types (breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer and other solid tumors), treatment (e.g., receiving vs having received chemotherapy), exercise modes (aerobic or resistance exercise, Tai Chi, Yoga) and duration (2-24 weeks). No consistent effects were observed for NK number in blood (mean difference [MD]: 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.35 to 3.29, p = 0.113) or NKCA as assessed in vitro (MD: - 0.02, 95%CI - 0.17 to 0.14, p = 0.834). However, mixed results existed across studies, and some could not be meta-analyzed due to lack of information or methodological heterogeneity.

Conclusions: Current evidence does not support a significant effect of exercise training intervention on NK cells in blood or on their `static response' (as assessed in vitro) in cancer survivors. Several methodological issues and research gaps are highlighted in this review, which should be considered in future studies to draw definite conclusions on this topic.},
organization = {Research in pediatric/adolescent cancer by Alejandro Lucia and Carmen Fiuza-Luces is funded by: 'the Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds (WKOF), as part of the World Cancer Research Fund International grant program (grant #IIG_ FULL_2021_007), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias [FIS]) and Fondos FEDER (grant numbers PI18/00139 and PI20/00645); the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (Instituto de Salud Carlos III, postdoctoral contract Miguel Servet, #CP18/00034); and by a grant from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA) Foundation (Grant No. PS.1816).},
publisher = {SPRINGER},
keywords = {Immune system},
keywords = {Immunity},
keywords = {Training},
keywords = {Physical activity},
keywords = {Oncology},
keywords = {Immune function},
keywords = {Cytotoxic activity},
title = {Exercise Training and Natural Killer Cells in Cancer Survivors: Current Evidence and Research Gaps Based on a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis},
doi = {10.1186/s40798-022-00419-w},
author = {Valenzuela, Pedro L. and Saco-Ledo, Gonzalo and Santos-Lozano, Alejandro and Morales Rojas, JavierSalvador and Castillo-García, Adrián and Simpson, Richard J. and Lucia, Alejandro and Fiuza-Luces, Carmen},
}