Exercise suppresses tumor growth through epinephrine- and IL-6-dependent mobilization and redistribution of NK cells

Regular exercise reduces the risk of cancer and disease recurrence. Yet the mechanisms behind this protection remain to be elucidated. In this study, tumor-bearing mice randomized to voluntary wheel running showed significant exercise related reduction in tumor incidence and growth across several tumor models including transplantable tumors (Lewis lung and B16 melanoma), chemically (diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced liver cancer, and a model of spontaneous melanoma (Tg(Grm1)EPv transgenic mice). Microarray analysis revealed exercise-induced up-regulation of pathways associated with immune function, prompting further investigations. NK cell infiltration was significantly increased in tumors from exercising mice, and depletion of NK cells by anti-asialo-GM1 administration increased tumor growth and blunted the exercise-dependent tumor suppression. Mechanistic analyses showed that NK cells were engaged through an epinephrine-dependent mobilization, and blockade of this response by ß-adrenergic blockade blunted the exercise-dependent tumor inhibition. Moreover, exercise-induced IL-6 facilitated redistribution of NK cells to peripheral tissues and induced a shift towards more cytotoxic (CD11b-, CD27+) NK cells at the tumor site. Together these results link exercise, epinephrine and IL-6 to NK cell mobilization and activation, and ultimately to improved control of tumor growth.