Effect of physical exercise on the survival of circulating tumor cells and tumor formation

• Grant number: 15/19076-2
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Cooperation agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Eduardo Negrão
• Grantee: Clévia dos Santos Passos
• Home Institution: Instituto do Coração Professor Euryclides de Jesus Zerbini (INCOR). Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are associated with poor prognosis and metastasis. Recent studies show that exercise can be an important adjuvant strategy in the treatment of cancer. It increases cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength, improves the inflammatory process and reduces pain and muscle fatigue. However, the effects of exercise on CTCs and survival of tumor cells are unknown. In this study, we will investigate the acute and chronic effects of exercise on survival of CTCs and metastasis. Strain C57BL/6 female mice will be randomly assigned into exercise and non-exercise groups for melanoma studies. And, strains female BALB/c mice will be randomly assigned into exercise and non-exercise groups for breast cancer studies. The acute exercise will consist of a moderate intensity exercise session on a treadmill. The chronic exercise will consist of moderate intensity exercise, 5 times a week on a treadmill or voluntary running wheel, for a five-week period. Physical capacity will be assessed by an incremental treadmill exercise test until exhaustion. The molecular expression will be assessed by different techniques, including real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Blood flow will be evaluated by ultrasound. (AU)