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High-Intensity Interval Training Boosts Immune Cells in Advanced Cancer Patients and Healthy Controls: Implications
Fabian Kiehl1,2, Nico De Lazzari1, Ronja Beller2,3
1Department of Palliative Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Cancer Medicine
|June 3, 2026
Summary
A single high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session temporarily increased natural killer (NK) cells and circulating innate lymphoid cells (cILCs) in advanced cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. This exercise intervention is feasible and impacts immune cell counts.
Area of Science:
- Exercise immunology
- Cancer research
- Cellular immunology
Background:
- Advanced cancer patients (ACP) experience fatigue and reduced quality of life (QoL).
- While exercise benefits are known, acute immune responses to exercise in ACP are understudied.
- This study focuses on the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on immune cells in ACP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the acute effects of a single HIIT session on natural killer (NK) cells and circulating innate lymphoid cells (cILCs) in ACP undergoing chemotherapy.
- To compare these immune responses between ACP and healthy controls (HG).
- To explore correlations between immune cell changes and physiological parameters.
Main Methods:
- A 20-minute HIIT session was administered to both an advanced cancer patient (PG) group and a healthy control (HG) group.
- Blood samples were collected pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 1 hour post-exercise.
- NK cells, cILCs, and their subsets were quantified using flow cytometry; patient-reported outcomes were also assessed.
Main Results:
- HIIT significantly increased circulating NK cells and cILCs immediately post-exercise in both PG and HG, with subsequent decreases during recovery.
- Median increases in NK cells were 50% in PG and 38% in HG; cILCs increased by 21% in PG and 55% in HG.
- Immune cell responses varied between groups and subpopulations, with correlations found between NK cell counts and heart rate, BMI, and age.
Conclusions:
- A single bout of HIIT transiently mobilizes NK cells and cILCs in advanced cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
- Acute HIIT is a feasible intervention for ACP.
- The study provides preliminary evidence for exercise-induced immune cell count alterations in this population.
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