Tumor chemosensitization by physical exercise? Insights from an animal model

The role of physical exercise for the maintenance of human health, for the prevention and cure of metabolic syndrome and diabetes and for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases are widely demonstrated. The major focus in the studies of physical exercise in oncology has been the effect of exercise in to attenuate and improve symptoms outcomes and quality of life: epidemiological data showed a statistically significant inverse ratio between physical activity or recurrence/progression in a variety of cancers. Thus a renowned interest in the effects of physical exercise on cancer biology arises and it is of paramount translational importance. In this regard, a recent provocative set of experiments showed an enhanced tumor perfusion and reduced hypoxia in a model of orthotopic prostate cancer in rats exposed to treadmill exercise.