EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON MITOCHONDRIAL-DERIVED PEPTIDES IN BREAST CANCER

• Grant number: 23/07578-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: March 25, 2024
• End date: March 25, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physical Education
• Principal Investigator: Luciane Carla Alberici
• Grantee: Anderson Vulczak
• Supervisor: Christina M Dieli Conwright
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/16278-1 - Effects of physical exercise on tumour energy metabolism in women with Breast Cancer, BP.PD

Abstract

The aim of this proposal is to investigate the effect of physical exercise on mitochondrial-derived peptides (MDP) in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer and a potential target in cancer treatment. Evidence has demonstrated the critical role of mitochondria in tumor development and resistance to therapy. The mitochondria and nucleus maintain bidirectional regulation, and MDP can be involved in retrograde signaling. Although controversial, the role of MDP in tumor cells seems to be linked to chemoresistance, while in healthy cells, it may exert a cytoprotective effect. In addition, physical exercise can increase circulating levels of MDP, suggesting a possible pathway of metabolic modulation and adaptation to physical exercise, either pathological conditions or healthy individuals. However, despite the beneficial effects of exercise after the cancer diagnosis, adherence to a physical exercise routine is low among patients. It can be related to the side effects of the disease and treatment and financial or logistical problems. Therefore, the design of programs and research that can minimize these barriers, such as home-based and supervised exercise training, contribute to the patient clinical condition and corroborate with research development in exercise oncology. Moreover, the studies on the role of mitochondria in tumor development provide knowledge for a better understanding of the biology of cancer and suggest mitochondria as a potential target for new modalities in cancer treatment. Thus, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of the effects of physical exercise in patients with breast cancer.