30-minute exercise session found to increase proportion of tumor-killing white blood cells in the bloodstream

Medical Xpress / University of Turku / Frontiers in Immunology ^ | July 3, 2024 | Tiia Koivula et al

[ConservativeMind]

A new study shows that a 30-minute exercise session can increase the proportion of tumor-killing white blood cells in the bloodstream of breast cancer patients.

White blood cells, the cells of our immune system, fight against cancer, bacteria, and viruses.

The most important cell types that destroy cancer cells are cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. Cell types that support cancer growth include, for example, regulatory T cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells.

Twenty breast cancer patients who had just been diagnosed and therefore had not yet started their cancer treatments participated in the study. During the study, the patients pedaled a bicycle ergometer for 30 minutes at a resistance of their own choosing. Blood samples were taken from the patients at rest before the pedaling, during the exercise, and after the exercise.

During the exercise, the amount of several different white blood cell types increased in the bloodstream. The number of cancer-destroying cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells increased the most. On the other hand, the number of cancer-promoting regulatory T cells and myeloid derived suppressor cells did not change.

The researchers also examined the proportions of different white blood cell types relative to the total white blood cell count, and found that the proportion of natural killer cells increased significantly, while the proportion of myeloid derived suppressor cells decreased.

"In this study, it was seen that the number of almost all white blood cell types decreased back to resting values one hour after the exercise. With the current knowledge, we cannot say where the white blood cells go after the exercise, but in preclinical studies, cancer-destroying cells have been seen to migrate into the tumor area."

[ConservativeMind]

It appeared cancer destroying T cells increase under exercise, if having active breast cancer, like what was tested, here.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Cold Heart]

This same exercise prevents 95% of heart problems.

Ref; wife’s cardiac therapy class

[Veto!]

Before I broke my knee, I was doing a 14-minute mile on the treadmill five days a week. Long convalescence. Now I’m walking about half a mile a day and breathing hard doing it, But blood pressure was 115/64 yesterday so I guess I’m OK. I only take one prescription drug and lots of vitamins. Physical therapist says take it easy and build up to that mile.

[pepsionice]

Add to it...they aren’t saying extreme exercise. You could just be taking a 40-min walk, or swim for half-a-hour, or ride a bike two or three times a week.

[Rusty0604]

Thanks! Good info.

[Rusty0604]

Yes, just slowly build yourself back up. I’ve had to spend most of the last 4 months in bed, now after spinal fusion having to gradually get my muscle strength back,