The Impact of Exercise on Tolerability of Systemic Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Literature Review

This literature review explores the role of exercise in reducing treatment toxicity for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). It highlights that over 40% of patients experience treatment modifications due to toxicity within the first 3 months, potentially affecting anti-tumor efficacy. The review analyzes 15 observational studies and 8 intervention studies, finding positive associations between physical activity and improved survival outcomes, as well as feasibility and benefits of exercise during treatment. Exercise may mitigate toxicities such as neurotoxicity, hematological toxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and fatigue, though its effects on dermatological and immune-related toxicities remain unexplored. The findings suggest that exercise could be a valuable component of mCRC treatment, warranting further investigation in future trials.