How physical activity may protect older adults against cancer
Scientists have discovered that ageing muscle may contribute to cancer growth by releasing fewer extracellular vesicles, tiny particles that cells use to communicate with one another. Their study also found that composition of these particles changes with age, weakening protective signals that help suppress tumour development.
Encouragingly, exercise appears to restore this protective function. Published in Nature Communications, the findings offer fresh insights into healthy ageing and cancer prevention, as well as point to potential biomarkers and therapies tailored to older adults.
The effects of ageing muscle are especially evident in sarcopenia, a condition marked by loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength as one gets older. In Singapore, it affects nearly one in three seniors aged 60 and above, impacting mobility, independence and quality of life.
Working with collaborators, the scientists found that sarcopenic muscle secretes fewer extracellular vesicles. As muscle ages, these vesicles also contain lower levels of miR-7a-5p—a microRNA or a very small RNA molecule that helps regulate gene expression by controlling the types and amounts of proteins cells produce. miR-7a-5p plays a role in restraining tumor growth.
Importantly, the team also discovered that the release of extracellular vesicles from muscle is controlled by a biological pathway that declines with age but can be reactivated through exercise.
The senior author of the study, said: “Muscle cells use extracellular vesicles to send messages and influence how other cells behave, but exactly how these messages are delivered and received is not fully understood. Our research uncovers this hidden process, showing that as muscles weaken with age, these signals can change in ways that can promote tumor growth.”
One of the authors of the study, said: “Clinically, we observe an association between advanced cancer and low muscle mass. This is a novel study which illustrates how healthy muscle can potentially inhibit tumor growth. We observe that healthy muscles secrete many physiologically important molecules. With advanced age, it is even more important to engage in regular resistance and aerobic exercises in order to maintain healthy muscle volume. This is important not only for function and mobility, but also for general health. We hope that the insights from our research can help us develop new targeted therapies for our patients; as well as convince more people of the benefits of regular exercise.”
With their study, the scientists have established a direct biological link between aged muscle and tumor growth. Together, the findings reveal a muscle-to-tumor communication pathway that could be targeted to develop new therapies aimed at preventing cancer progression.
Next, the scientists plan to validate their findings in human samples and determine whether extracellular vesicles—particularly the miR-7a-5p they carry—could serve as biomarkers for assessing cancer risk associated with sarcopenia.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-72410-y
https://sciencemission.com/Sarcopenia-promotes-tumorigenesis
