From UT Southwestern: Boot camp for breast cancer patients

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22399859

Breast Cancer (Auckl). 2012;6:39-46. Epub 2012 Feb 1.
Bootcamp during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: a randomized pilot trial.
Rao R, Cruz V, Peng Y, Harker-Murray A, Haley BB, Zhao H, Xie XJ, Euhus D.
Source
Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9155.

Abstract
INTRODUCTION:
Exercise may improve cancer outcomes. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) for breast cancer provides a unique setting to evaluate intervention effects. Treatments leading to decreased post-neoadjuvant Ki-67 levels, smaller tumor size, and higher pathologic response are associated with improved survival and lower recurrence. This randomized, prospective pilot trial evaluates the feasibility of supervised exercise during NC for breast cancer.

METHODS:
Stage II-III, ER positive, cancer patients with BMI > 25 receiving NC were randomized to standard NC with supervised bootcamp (NC + BC) or NC alone. Ki-67, C-peptide, BMI, and tumor size were measured before chemotherapy and at time of surgery.

RESULTS:
There were no initial differences between groups in regards to tumor size, C-peptide, BMI, and Ki-67. The NC + BC (n = 5) group had a lower mean BMI at the conclusion of NC compared with those (n = 5) in the NC group (28.0 versus 35.8, P = 0.03). Final tumor size was 2.59 cm in the NC + BC group versus 3.16 cm for NC (P = 0.76) Mean Ki-67 for NC + BC was 7% versus 29% with NC (P = 0.14). C-peptide (ng/mL) was equivalent between the two groups (4.55 NC + BC versus 4.74 NC, P = 0.85).

CONCLUSIONS:
Adding a supervised exercise program to NC is feasible, decreases BMI, and may lead to lower Ki-67 levels and improved survival.