The Effect of Resistance Training on Inflammatory Factors and Immune Indices in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review

Shohanizade, Setareh; Rezaei, Toufan; Eidiyan-Kakhki, Mohammad Mahdi

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Volume 34, Issue 3 (7-2026)

Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences 2026, 34(3): 41-56

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The Effect of Resistance Training on Inflammatory Factors and Immune Indices in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review

Setareh Shohanizade¹

, Toufan Rezaei ^*²

, Mohammad Mahdi Eidiyan-Kakhki³

1- Dept of Public Health, Faculty of of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
2- Dept of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran , rezaeifun@gmail.com
3- Dept of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: (143 Views)

Introduction: Breast cancer survivors often face persistent inflammatory complications and immune system dysfunction. Since resistance training is considered a promising non-pharmacological intervention for managing these complications, yet the existing evidence remains scattered, the present study aimed to systematically review the effect of resistance training on the inflammatory and immune indices of these patients.
Materials & Methods: This study was conducted as a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Interventional studies investigating the effect of resistance training on inflammatory factors in breast cancer survivors were identified and evaluated. In total, four eligible studies were included in the review. Data extraction encompassed the type of inflammatory factor, level of measurement (systemic or cellular), direction of change, and statistical significance of the outcomes.
Results: The inflammatory factors reported in the reviewed studies included CRP, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-αalphaα, IL-1βbetaβ, and TGF-βbetaβ1. The results concerning systemic factors did not reveal significant changes following the exercise intervention in most studies. In contrast, some studies reported significant changes in certain inflammatory factors at the cellular level or in specific markers. The types of measured markers, levels of assessment, and statistical outcomes demonstrated heterogeneity across the studies.
Conclusion: The existing studies provide limited and heterogeneous evidence regarding the effect of resistance training on inflammatory factors in breast cancer survivors. The diversity in the types of investigated factors and their measurement levels complicates the direct comparison of the results. Conducting future studies with more standardized designs and comprehensive evaluations of inflammatory factors could help clarify this field.

Keywords: Breast cancer, Resistance training, Inflammatory factors, Immune system, Systematic review

Full-Text [PDF 768 kb] (49 Downloads)

Editorial Note: Research | Subject: departmet of gynecology and obstetrics
Received: 2026/04/9 | Accepted: 2026/05/18 | Published: 2026/07/27

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Shohanizade S, Rezaei T, Eidiyan-Kakhki M M. The Effect of Resistance Training on Inflammatory Factors and Immune Indices in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review. J. Ilam Uni. Med. Sci. 2026; 34 (3) :41-56
URL: http://sjimu.medilam.ac.ir/article-1-8915-en.html

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