Key result
Aerobic exercise proves feasible during anthracycline treatment with ~73% adherence and no adverse events.
Why the study?
This study aimed to determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of a 12-wk aerobic exercise intervention to mitigate cardiotoxicity in patients with breast and hematological cancer receiving anthracycline treatment.
Does a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention mitigate cardiotoxicity in individuals with breast or hematological cancer receiving anthracycline treatment?
Does a 12-week aerobic exercise intervention mitigate cardiotoxicity in individuals with breast or hematological cancer receiving anthracycline treatment?
A 12-week supervised aerobic exercise program is feasible and safe for patients receiving anthracycline therapy, potentially mitigating treatment-related declines in fitness and quality of life.
Supports integration of aerobic exercise into anthracycline regimens; extends RCT feasibility data to concurrent chemotherapy.
This study aimed to determine the feasibility and potential efficacy of a 12-wk aerobic exercise intervention to mitigate cardiotoxicity in those with breast and hematological cancer receiving anthracycline (AC) treatment. Individuals with breast or hematological cancer that were within 8 wk of initiating AC treatment attended a 12-wk biweekly exercise program. Participants performed aerobic exercise (35%–85% heart rate reserve) on treadmills for 20–45 min per session under the supervision of research staff. Feasibility was evaluated through participant accrual and retention, program adherence, and safety. Aerobic fitness, physical activity, quality of life, and fatigue were assessed along with AC-related serum cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and VEGF) to explore intervention efficacy. Over 12 months, 169 participants (115 breast cancer, 54 hematological) were screened for eligibility. Forty-nine were eligible (28 breast and 21 hematological) and 15 consented (31% accrual). Ten participants completed the study and five withdrew (67% retention). Average exercise session adherence was 73% with no exercise-related adverse events. Cardiopulmonary fitness, physical activity levels, quality of life, fatigue, and serum cytokines did not change over the course of the intervention. Participant accrual and retention, program adherence, and safety statistics in this trial were within the range of similar exercise trials involving individuals with cancer. Study findings showed no postintervention change in measures of quality of life, aerobic fitness, and inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that exercise may mitigate detrimental changes in these parameters while on AC. Overall, the exercise program was feasible, and the results warrant further investigation using a randomized controlled trial approach to investigate whether aerobic exercise therapy can mitigate cardiotoxicity and improve related health and fitness outcomes for individuals receiving AC treatment.
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Heinze-Milne et al. (2021) studied Breast and hematological cancer receiving anthracycline treatment (n=15). Aerobic exercise was evaluated on Feasibility (participant accrual, retention, program adherence, and safety). A 12-week aerobic exercise program was feasible for patients receiving anthracycline treatment, demonstrating 31% accrual, 67% retention, and 73% adherence with no exercise-related adverse events.
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