The Effect Of Acute Exercise On Immune Cell Counts In Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients

The role of exercise in cancer prevention and control is increasingly recognized. Based on preclinical studies, it is hypothesized that mobilization of leukocytes which is immediately induced by exercise and repeated over time, plays an important role in the anti-tumor effect. PURPOSE: To examine how acute exercise modulates leukocyte counts in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. METHODS: Total of 20 women aged 37 to 73 with breast cancer performed a 10-minute acute exercise on a bicycle ergometer. Blood samples were taken at rest, immediately after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise. Phenotypic characterization of major leukocyte subsets was done using 9-color flow cytometry. Patients signed an informed consent form, and good clinical practice and the Declaration of Helsinki were followed. RESULTS: Total leukocyte count (CD45+ cells) increased by 29 % (p < 0,01), CD8+ T cell count by 34 % (p < 0,05), CD19+ B cell count by 18 % (p < 0,05), total NK cell count by 99 % (p < 0,001), CD56+CD16+ NK cell count by 130 % (p < 0,001), and CD14+CD16+ monocyte count by 51% (p < 0,05) immediately after acute exercise. Moreover, proportions of total NK cells and CD56+CD16+ NK cells of total leukocytes, proportion of CD8+ T cell of total T cells, and proportion of CD14+CD16+ monocytes of total monocytes increased immediately after exercise (p < 0,01, p < 0,001, p < 0,05, and p < 0,01, respectively). Mobilization of CD45+, CD8+, CD19+, CD56+, and CD56+CD16+ cells correlated positively with exercising systolic blood pressure, heart rate percentage of age predicted maximum heart rate, rate pressure product, and mean arterial pressure. Mobilization of CD45+, CD8+, CD19+, and CD56+ cells correlated positively with diastolic blood pressure and mobilization of CD45+, CD56+, and CD56+CD16+ cells correlated positively with heart rate. CONCLUSION: A single bout of exercise of only 10 minutes can cause leukocytosis in breast cancer patients. Mobilization of leukocytes appear to be directly related to the intensity of exercise. It is possible that the positive effect of exercise on oncologic outcome might be partly due to immune cell mobilization in connection with acute exercise as documented in this study. Supported by Academy of Finland and Hospital District of Southwest Finland.