Cancer has emerged as a prominent cause of mortality in the 21st century, with breast cancer (BC) being the most diagnosed malignancy. Multidisciplinary cancer management has improved survival chances, but side effects and long-term consequences of treatments have significant implications for cancer survivors' health-related quality of life. Exercise is increasingly considered and used in cancer treatment and follow-up. However, studies demonstrating the biological mechanisms underlying the anticarcinogenic effects (ACE) of exercise are insufficient to justify the most appropriate physical activity for different clinical scenarios. Achieving scientific excellence in understanding the ACE of exercise in cancer management is critical to optimize treatment and enhance patients' quality of life.
Reproductive age (premenopausal);
Diagnosis of Stage II-III Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) (negative for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2));
Timeframe of 3 to 9 months after completion of surgery, adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and/or immunotherapy;
Physician-certified (cardiologist) physical fitness for exercise testing, supported by echocardiography (ECHO).
Pregnancy;
Autoimmune diseases (e.g., thyroiditis, inflammatory bowel disease, atopic dermatitis, etc.);
Endocrine disorders (e.g., metabolic syndrome, diabetes);
Cardiovascular diseases;
Crossover
High intensity continuous exercise
Other intervention30 minutes of continuous exercise at 75% of VO2max, additionally 15 minutes of warm-up to reach specific workload.
Moderate intensity continuous exercise
Other intervention30 minutes of continuous exercise at 45% of VO2max, additionally 15 minutes of warm-up to reach specific workload.
Inhibition of Breast Cancer Cell Proliferation
The inhibitory effect of exercise-conditioned serum (ECS) on the proliferation of breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, HCC1937, HCC1143, and SK-BR-3). Proliferation is measured as the percentage of viable cells after 24 hours of exposure to serum collected during exercise compared to baseline (pre-exercise) serum samples, using LIVE/DEAD fluorescence microscopy and FM CellHealth assays.
Changes in Serum Myokine Concentrations
Measurement of serum levels of six specific myokines (BDNF, SPARC, Oncostatin M, IL-6, FGF-21, and Decorin) known to exhibit anticarcinogenic effects. Concentrations will be determined using ELISA or xMAP technology.
Correlation Between Body Composition and Myokine Response
Assessment of how body composition parameters - specifically fat mass, lean soft tissue mass, visceral fat, measured via Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) - correlate with the magnitude of exercise-induced myokine fluctuations.
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