Effects of aerobic exercise on body composition and exerkines in colorectal cancer survivors

Authors

• Eunhan Choe, LSU School of Kinesiology, Baton Rouge, LA
• Miranda Chodzko, LSU School of Kinesiology, Baton Rouge, LA
• Stephanie L E Compton, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA
• Shengping Yang, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA
• Steven Heymsfield, Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA
• Guillaume Spielmann, LSU School of Kinesiology, Baton Rouge, LA
• Justin C. Brown, LSU Health Sciences Center - New OrleansFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-26-2025

Publication Title

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living

Abstract

Introduction: Physical activity improves immune competency and is associated with a lower rate of cancer recurrence in colorectal cancer survivors. However, the exact mechanisms underlying these improvements remain unclear. Exercise-derived cytokines (exerkines), particularly IL-7 and IL-15, are crucial in maintaining optimal immune health. This study investigated whether a 12-week structured exercise training intervention increases IL-7 and IL-15 in colorectal cancer survivors. Methods: Sixty colorectal cancer survivors were randomized to a moderate-intensity home-based aerobic exercise group (150 min/week) or a control group for 12 weeks. IL-7 and IL-15 were quantified using ELISA, and body composition was measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results: At baseline, participants treated with chemotherapy had lower IL-7 than those not treated with chemotherapy [-3.3 pg/ml (95% CI: -1.3, -5.4); p = 0.002]. Baseline fitness capacity correlated with IL-15 (r = -0.37; p = 0.004). IL-7 increased in the exercise group [2.3 pg/ml (95% CI: 0.9, 3.8; p = 0.003)], but not in the control group [1.2 pg/ml (95% CI: 0.3, 2.8; p = 0.31)]. IL-15 did not differ between groups. Longitudinal changes in IL-15 were associated with changes in body composition. Discussion: Aerobic exercise may improve immune function in colorectal cancer survivors by restoring IL-7 after chemotherapy and improving IL-15 by altering body composition.

First Page

1

Last Page

9

DOI

10.3389/fspor.2025.1579221

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Choe, Eunhan; Chodzko, Miranda; Compton, Stephanie L E; Yang, Shengping; Heymsfield, Steven; Spielmann, Guillaume; and Brown, Justin C., "Effects of aerobic exercise on body composition and exerkines in colorectal cancer survivors" (2025). LSU-LCMC Cancer Center Faculty Publications. 162.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/llcc_facpubs/162
10.3389/fspor.2025.1579221