Effects of exercise training on circulating levels of Dickkpof-1 and secreted frizzled-related protein-1 in breast cancer survivors: A pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundWingless and integration site growth factor (Wnt) signaling is a tumorigenesis-related signaling pathway. Dickkpof-1 (DKK1) and secreted frizzled-related protein-1 (SFRP1) are endogenous negative regulators of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Accumulating evidence indicates that higher serum levels of DKK1 are correlated with poor prognosis of various types of cancer. Here, we investigated whether exercise training causes changes in the serum levels of DKK1 and SFRP1 in patients with breast cancer.MethodsTwenty-four breast cancer survivors, after chemo- or radiotherapy, participated in this single-blind randomized, controlled pilot study. Subjects were randomized to either an exercise program or a control group for 12 weeks and completed pre- and post-training tests for health-related fitness and body composition as well as blood biomarkers. The serum levels of DKK1 and SFRP1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as the primary outcome.ResultsExercise training for 12 weeks remarkably increased muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility and decreased body fat percentage, waist circumference, and visceral fat area (all p < 0.05). Exercise training lowered serum insulin levels and leptin/adiponectin ratios (all p < 0.05). The levels of DKK1 and SFRP1 were also significantly decreased by exercise training in breast cancer survivors (all p < 0.01).ConclusionsOur results indicate that DKK1 and SFRP1 may be potentially useful biomarkers for evaluating the beneficial effects of long-term exercise on physical fitness and metabolism as well as the prognosis of patients with cancer.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02895178

Epigenetics of SFRP1: The Dual Roles in Human Cancers

“…The decrease of SFRP1 is accompanied by improving body composition such as a decrease in body fat percentage and visceral fat areas. This demonstrates that decreased serum level of SFRP1 improves the physical fitness of breast cancer survivor patients [105].…”

“…Despite SFRP1 being a well-known gene studied in human cancer, there are only a handful of clinical trials, which involve SFRP1. Based on the hypothesis that long-term exercise may cause changes in the serum levels of SFRP1 in patients with breast cancer, a pilot trial (NCT02895178) was conducted [105]. Thirty breast cancer survivors from Wonju Severance Christian Hospital were enrolled and randomized to two different groups: 12 weeks exercise program and control group.…”

Effect of Combined Training on Body Image in Women with Breast Cancer: Controlled Clinical Trial

“…According to Oliveira et al [37] and Figueiredo et al [38] there is a large incidence of high WC in patients with breast cancer, which is linked to cardiovascular risk; these authors suggest that this population requires adherence to a nutritional program. However, the study by Kim et al [39] demonstrated a reduction in WC after a 12-week CT intervention, this difference may be due to the stage of the treatment, since all the patients were survivors of breast cancer. Further studies are needed to de ne the type of intervention effective in the reduction of visceral fat in patients in the treatment of breast cancer.…”

Wnt/β-catenin signaling as a useful therapeutic target in hepatoblastoma

“…Considering the importance of this signaling in different cancers, a Phase II trial has been designed to investigate the safety and efficacy of oral niclosamide, Wnt/β-catenin signaling modulating drug, in colorectal cancer patients [69]. Moreover, it is suggested that the levels of endogenous negative regulators of Wnt/β-catenin including DKK1 and secreted frizzled-related protein-1 may be potentially employed as biomarkers for evaluating the beneficial effects of exercise on the metabolism and prognosis of breast cancer patients [70].…”