One exercise can fight cancer

According to new research from Edith Cowan University, a intense exercise, whether it is resistance training or high-intensity intervals, may help inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells.

The study was published in the journal Breast cancerIt was found that serum just obtained from breast cancer survivors after exercise was able to reduce cancer cell growth by 30% under laboratory conditions. This effect can be traced to a protein secreted by muscles called muscle animals, which is released naturally during body fatigue and appears to have anti-cancer properties.

Exercise triggers anti-cancer signals in the blood

A research team led by ECU PhD student Francesco Bettariga recruited 32 women who completed primary treatment for stage I-III breast cancer. Participants were randomly assigned to complete a resistance training (RT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Blood samples were performed immediately before and after exercise 30 minutes. These samples were then used to treat triple-negative breast cancer cells in vitro.

• Actin such as IL-6, Decorin, Sparc and OSM rose by 9-47% after exercise
• Cell growth of MDA-MB-231 cancer cells decreased by 20-29%
• HIIT produces greater immediate increase in IL-6 and stronger cellular inhibition

“The results of the study show that two types of exercise do produce these anti-cancer muscle animals in breast cancer survivors,” Bettariga said. “The results of this study are excellent motivations to add exercise as standard care in cancer treatment.”

Not only fitness, but also biochemical

Muscle animals are hormone-like molecules released by muscles against contractions. Scientists know they help regulate metabolism and inflammation, but the study highlights their direct effects on tumor biology. The researchers observed a significant increase in three of the four major muscle animals studied within minutes after exercise, and a rapid decrease in cancer cell proliferation.

“Exercise has become a therapeutic intervention for cancer treatment, and there is a lot of evidence that exercise has the safety and effectiveness of exercise during cancer treatment or during post-cancer treatment,” explains Bettariga.

Importantly, these effects are seen even among survivors whose bodies are changed by surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. Although HIIT triggered the highest IL-6 response and the fastest tumor suppressor, drug resistance training also significantly increased myofactor levels and reduced cancer cell growth. Research results show that even one exercise can trigger a physical cascade, which can make the body feel bad about cancer cells.

Why body composition is important

This singles study is part of a broad study on how exercise affects inflammation and long-term outcomes in breast cancer survivors. Persistent inflammation is known to cause tumor progression and recurrence by inhibiting immune defense and promoting cell survival and spread.

According to Bettariga, “Strategies are needed to reduce inflammation, which may provide less support for cancer progression, resulting in a lower risk of recurrence and death among breast cancer survivors.”

He added that improving the body’s composition (by increasing muscle and reducing fat mass) becomes such a strategy. Exercise both. “If we can improve body composition, we have a greater chance of reducing inflammation, as we are improving lean meat quality and reducing fat quality, which is responsible for releasing anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory markers,” Bettariga said.

This is not a shortcut: diet doesn’t do that

Although losing fat mass is part of the equation, Bettariga warns not to rely on diet alone. “You never want to lose weight without exercising because you need to build or retain muscle mass and produce these chemicals that can’t be done by eating alone.”

This nuance is especially important for cancer survivors, who may cause muscle loss due to treatment. Simply emitting pounds without strengthening muscles can inadvertently weaken the defense mechanisms of very biological (such as muscle animals), which helps reduce the risk of recurrence.

Looking to the future: Can a exercise trigger long-term change?

Although the anti-cancer effects of one exercise are convincing, the researchers quickly stressed that more work is needed to understand the long-term benefits. Bettariga and his colleagues hope to track the research on how regular training affects cancer recurrence and survival, especially related to inflammation and muscle-derived factors.

Nevertheless, for many breast cancer survivors, the message is clear: Your body can fight back – a single exercise may help start the process.

Magazine: Breast cancer
doi: 10.1007/S10549-025-07772-W

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