When muscles \u201cstarve\u201d the tumor<\/p>\n
Led by Rachel Perry from Yale\u2019s Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, researchers studied 18 mice implanted with breast cancer cells. Some were made obese through diet, a condition known to speed up tumor progression. Half of them had access to a running wheel, allowing them to exercise freely.<\/p>\n
The findings were striking: among obese mice that ran, tumors were about 60 percent smaller than in their sedentary counterparts. Even compared to non-obese sedentary mice, the active ones had slightly smaller tumors.<\/p>\n
After 30 minutes of exercise, scientists measured a sharp rise in glucose use by skeletal and cardiac muscles\u2014and a drop in glucose absorbed by tumors. In simple terms, when muscles are active, they grab the glucose<\/a> first, leaving cancer cells with less fuel to grow.<\/p>\n The team also found changes in 417 genes linked to energy metabolism. One key factor stood out: reduced expression of mTOR, a protein known to trigger cell growth. \u201cLowering mTOR levels in tumor cells suggests the tumor enters a state less favorable to proliferation,\u201d Perry explained.<\/p>\n Three oncologists from the Curie Institute answer this question about adapted physical activity in oncology. \u00a9 Curie Institute<\/p>\n Exercise as a genuine therapeutic tool<\/p>\n The study reinforces a growing belief among oncologists: exercise isn\u2019t just a lifestyle habit\u2014it\u2019s a real therapeutic ally.<\/p>\n Rob Newton, an expert in exercise oncology at Edith Cowan University in Australia, put it simply: \u201cIf you have more muscle mass and activate it regularly, the effect on glucose absorption becomes even stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n The researchers stress that the mice weren\u2019t marathoners. They ran voluntarily, at their own pace. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t about pushing limits\u2014it was about letting the body move as it needed.\u201d This suggests that even moderate, consistent activity could spark similar metabolic effects in humans.<\/p>\n While clinical trials will be the next step, the scientists say there\u2019s \u201clittle reason to think the same results wouldn\u2019t apply to humans.\u201d<\/p>\n
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