Introduction

Cancer survivors show increased risk for non-communicable diseases and chronic low-grade inflammation characterizes the development of such diseases. We investigated inflammatory plasma protein profiles of survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in comparison to healthy controls and after an intervention with a home-based exercise program.

Methods

Survivors of childhood ALL aged 16-30 years (n=21) with a median age at diagnosis 4.9 (1.6-12.9) years and a median time of 15.9 years from diagnosis, and sex- and age-matched healthy controls (n=21), were studied. Stored plasma samples were analyzed with Olink’s 92-protein-wide Inflammation panel in 21 ALL long-term survivors at baseline, after a previous 16-week home-based exercise intervention (n=17) and in 21 age- and sex-matched controls at baseline. Protein expression levels were compared between the groups. 

Results

Inflammatory protein levels did not differ between the survivors and controls at baseline. Significantly reduced levels after the intervention were found in 11 proteins related to either vascular inflammation, insulin resistance, or both: TNFSF14, OSM, MCP-1, MCP-2, FGF-21, CCL4, TGF-alpha, TRAIL, ADA, CXCL6, and LAP TGF-beta-1. 

Conclusions

The ALL survivors were not significantly more affected by inflammation than controls at baseline. The survivors’ 16-week exercise intervention led to significant reduction in inflammatory protein levels. Physical exercise should be promoted for survivors of childhood cancer.