Physical exercise in locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: “If I walk, I live. Although one can die of cancer, now I am living”

Abstract

The most widely used chemotherapeutic combinations in locally advanced (LA) or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are Nab-Paclitaxel-Gemcitabine (Nab-PCT-GEM) and Fluorouracil, Folinic acid, Oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (FOLFIRINOX). Chemo-resistance, typical of PDAC, appears to be due to the negative influence of stroma population cells, namely regulatory T cells (Treg) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, macrophages with inhibitory effects on the antitumor activity of the innate and adaptive immune systems, and resistance to cancer treatment. Among other factors that may influence immune surveillance, constant physical activity appears to reduce the risk of cancer-related mortality and cardiovascular risk. However, this does not seem to increase the survival of patients with PDAC. The exception is our young inoperable patient. For LA head PDAC, he was treated with seven cycles of Nab-PCT-GEM and RT 50 Gy/15 fractions combined to biweekly GEM and salvage FOLFIRINOX. The five-year surviving patient travelled 15,000 km on foot and continues inexorably his "walking therapy".

Keywords

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma / depression / physical activity / Nab-paclitaxel / fluorouracil / regulatory T cells / myeloid-derived suppressor cells

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