Molecular mechanism of aerobic exercise in miRNAs and the anti-tumoral effects

Abstract

Exercise decreases cancer risk, prevents recurrence and enhances treatment efficacy, however its exact mechanisms remain unclear. This review aims to (i) summarize the miRNAs released during aerobic exercise and explore the factors influencing their levels; (ii) discuss the miRNAs associated with cancer and exercise. Exercise alters circulated-miRNA levels. Some of them show benefits on tumor and anti-tumoral immune cells (miRNA-1, miRNA-133, miRNA-206, miRNA-208, miRNA-486, miRNA-499) and others exert adverse effects (miRNA-21, miRNA-221). Mechanisms of exercise effects on cancer are complex due to some exercise- induced miRNAs exert advantageous, others not, individual characteristics and exercise features influencing the miRNAs levels. Further studies are needed to elaborate the exercise features on immune response and tumor cell functions, including miRNA production.

Keywords: aerobic exercise; anti- tumoral effects; cancer; exercise- induced miRNAs; immunotherapy.

Figure 1

Expression of MyomiRs in the muscle cell and these MiRNAs possible effects on the tumor cells. Muscle cells are capable of secreting specific miRNAs, which can undergo modification in response to exercise and are designated as MyomiRs. Upon reaching target cells, including tumor cells, these miRNAs have the potential to influence their fate, thereby contributing to the modulation of cancer progression. Consequently, the regulation of these MiRNAs’ expression levels might hold significant therapeutic potential in the fight against cancer. The new figure was created using Canva.