Targeting Muscle-Bone Crosstalk Through Physical Therapy in Cancer Cachexia

Overview

This study investigates the role of a structured physical therapy (PT) program in managing cancer-induced cachexia (CIC) by targeting muscle-bone crosstalk. Cancer-induced cachexia leads to severe muscle wasting, systemic inflammation, and functional decline, which often limits treatment tolerance and quality of life. While exercise is known to attenuate protein breakdown and modulate muscle-derived cytokines (myokines), its specific impact on muscle-bone signaling in non-metastatic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy remains underexplored. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), patients aged 40 to 60 receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy are assigned to either a control group receiving standard chemotherapy and nutritional counseling, or an experimental group receiving a progressive 3-month exercise program (combining aerobic treadmill training and resistance exercises) alongside standard care. The study aims to evaluate changes in biomarker levels (such as myokines and osteokines) and functional physical outcomes to determine whether targeted exercise can effectively attenuate cachexia and improve rehabilitation outcomes prior to surgery

Cancer-induced cachexia (CIC) is a complex multifactorial syndrome characterized by progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass, systemic inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and functional decline. The physiological interplay between skeletal muscle and bone tissue-known as muscle-bone crosstalk-is regulated through humoral signaling pathways involving myokines and osteokines. Key myokines, such as myostatin (an inhibitor of muscle growth), Interleukin-15 (IL-15, which promotes hypertrophy and fat oxidation), and decorin (which binds to myostatin to promote muscle growth), play pivotal roles in maintaining musculoskeletal homeostasis. Contractile activity during physical exercise can favorably modulate these myokine levels, reducing protein degradation and improving metabolic function. Despite the established systemic benefits of physical exercise, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding the clinical efficacy of structured physical therapy protocols specifically targeting muscle-bone crosstalk in young to middle-aged adults undergoing active cancer treatment. Furthermore, there is limited clinical data quantifying exercise-induced biological changes in circulating myokines (e.g., IL-15, decorin, SPARC) within non-metastatic cancer populations receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This study is designed as a prospective Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a 3-month exercise intervention in patients aged 40-60 years with Grade 2/3 non-metastatic cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Eligible participants are randomized into two parallel groups: Control Group: Receives standard care consisting of neoadjuvant chemotherapy accompanied by a structured nutritional support course following cachexia onset. Experimental Group: Receives a progressive 3-month physical therapy program in addition to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy and nutritional support following cachexia onset. The 3-month physical therapy intervention combines structured aerobic and resistance training protocols: Aerobic Exercise: Treadmill walking performed 3 to 5 times per week (aiming for 150 minutes per week) at a progressive intensity ranging between 40% and 85% of maximum heart rate ($\\text{HR}\_{\\text{max}}$). Resistance Exercise: Progressive strength training performed 2 to 3 times per week consisting of 2 sets of 8 to 10 repetitions at 50% to 70% of 1-repetition maximum (1RM)