Comparison of different exercise modalities on chronic inflammation and immune function in cancer survivors: a...

Chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction are significant concerns for cancer survivors. Exercise has been proposed as a promising intervention; however, further clarification is needed regarding its effectiveness, optimal modalities, and appropriate exercise prescription.

This study aims to explore the effects of different exercise modalities and doses on chronic inflammation and immune function in cancer survivors.

A comprehensive search across five major databases was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining exercise interventions on four immune parameters in cancer survivors (leukocyte types, lymphocyte subsets, immune cell functions, soluble inflammatory mediators). The search spanned from the inception of each database until January 2025. The quality of studies was independently evaluated by two reviewers, and network meta-analyses (NMAs) and dose-response analyses were performed using a random-effects model.

Forty RCTs involving 4048 participants were included. The network meta-analysis revealed that only resistance training (RT) demonstrated a significant effect, ranking the highest (SMD = - 1.42; 95% CrI: - 2.76 to - 0.17). Furthermore, a nonlinear dose-response relationship was observed between exercise interventions and chronic inflammation and immune function. The minimum effective dose was identified as 550 MET-min per week, with an optimal dose of 800 MET-min per week and a maximum safe dose of 960 MET-min per week.

Exercise is an effective approach to modulating chronic inflammation and immune function in cancer survivors, with an optimal dose of 800 MET-min per week, and RT demonstrating significant effects among different exercise modalities. Future large-scale RCTs are needed to validate the effects of RT across different cancer types and to further refine the dose-response relationship, particularly within the effective dose range.