Potential involvement of neutrophils on exercise effects in breast cancer malignancy

This review aimed to comprehensively explore and elucidate multifaceted neutrophils in breast cancer, particularly in the context of physical activity. Neutrophils play a critical role in the tumor microenvironment and systemic immune response, despite their short half-life and terminal differentiation. Through a thorough review of research related to changes in immunity in breast cancer during exercise, this review aims to provide comprehensive insights into immunological changes, especially focusing on neutrophils. Recognizing that much of the existing research has predominantly focused on T cells and nature killer (NK) cells, our review seeks to shift the spotlight toward understanding how exercise affects neutrophils, a less-explored but critical immune response component in breast cancer.

This study involved an extensive review of the literature (from 2000 to 2023) using the PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. The keywords chosen for the searches were "immune cells and exercise," "exercise and breast cancer," "tumor microenvironment and neutrophils," and "neutrophils and exercise and breast cancers."

Neutrophils in the tumor microenvironment can exhibit distinct phenotypes and functions. These differences have yielded conflicting results regarding tumor progression. Exercise plays a positive role in breast cancer and alters the immune system. Physical activity can quantitatively and functionally regulate neutrophils under various conditions such as metabolic disruption or senescence.

This short communication outlines exercise-induced neutrophil diversification and its role in breast cancer progression, both within and systemically within the tumor microenvironment. Exercise may provide benefits through the potential neutrophil involvement in breast cancer.