The Effects of Exercise on the Tumor Immune Microenvironment

Abstract

This review explores the current understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of exercise, and the effectiveness of utilizing exercise as a therapy for cancer. Physical exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer and appears to possess tumor-suppressive capabilities in existing solid tumors by modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. The current literature suggests exercise to enhance intra-tumoral tumor-suppressive immune cell activity through multiple pathways. The immunomodulating capabilities of exercise are likely dependent on anti-tumor immunity pathways. Exercise appears to be a viable tumor-suppressive strategy, depending on the state of anti-tumor immunity.