The role of moderate aerobic training on immunosenescence associated with doxorubicin treatment in a murine model of lung cancer.

• Grant number: 25/00210-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: José Cesar Rosa Neto
• Grantee: Natasha de Oliveira Quesada
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Physical activity has demonstrated significant benefits in the prevention and treatment of cancer, providing more effective antitumor responses in athletes with high aerobic capacity compared to poorly trained or sedentary individuals. This finding highlights an intriguing relationship between physical exercise and immunity against cancer, suggesting that aerobic training can mitigate adverse effects and improve the immune response, with a possible increase in survival rates. Based on this knowledge about exercise immunology, our goal is to develop a murine model to investigate the mechanisms underlying this differentiated response, identifying new therapeutic targets for cancer. Our focus is to analyze whether aerobic training can mitigate the toxic effects caused by doxorubicin (DOX), a chemotherapy drug widely used in the treatment of cancer. Studies suggest that DOX induces early immunosenescence; however, moderate aerobic exercise has shown potential to reduce immune cell damage. In this study, we will use C57BL/6 mice to simulate the effects of chemotherapy and evaluate the impact of aerobic training. The relevance of this study lies in the search for new therapeutic strategies for cancer and in understanding the biological mechanisms involved. The results obtained have the potential to contribute significantly to science, public health and social well-being.