Login

ISEO – Inaugural Conference July 22nd & 23rd 2026 - organized by DKFZ

22–23 Jul 2026
Heidelberg Congress Center
Europe/Berlin timezone

ISEO Conference 2026

A randomized controlled trial testing the immunological impact of high-intensity interval training for patients with metastatic lung cancer in combination with immunotherapy

23 Jul 2026, 15:45
15m
3 - Talk Oral Session 7

Speaker

Gitte Holmen Olofsson (National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK))

Description

Exercise is a potent therapy modality to improve quality of life and physical function in cancer patients, with emerging evidence suggesting benefits for cancer outcomes. Given that the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy relies on sustained antitumor immune responses, high-intensity exercise may enhance its efficacy through immune modulation.

The randomized controlled HI AIM trial (NCT04263467) investigated six weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) with or without chemotherapy, or under surveillance. Participants in the exercise group completed supervised, group-based HIIT three times weekly. Data on exercise performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, therapy course, psychological distress, and disease outcomes were collected. Peripheral blood samples were obtained before and after acute HIIT sessions and longitudinally for immunological analyses.

Between August 2020 and October 2023, 54 patients (22 males, 32 females) were randomized. Adherence of 83%, resulted in analysis of data from 45 patients (21 exercise, 24 control). Flow cytometry revealed that patients with mNSCLC performed HIIT resulting in mobilization of NK, T cells and catecholamines to the peripheral blood. The primary outcome showed that circulating NK cells from baseline to week 12 was significantly higher in the ex-ercise group compared to control group (log2 ratio week12/bsl -0·012 ±1·057 vs. -0·276 ±0·695; p=0·0247). Secondary outcomes showed feasibility and safety (no severe adverse effect) of the exercise intervention, and a significant increase in power output and VO2peak for the exercise group. Clinical analysis showed that the exercise group experienced less toxicities during active treatment, and reduced anxiety. Notably, in a subgroup analysis, a progression-free survival benefit was observed in the exercise group receiving ICI.

This study shows for the first time, in metastatic cancer patients, that HIIT is not only safe and feasible but elicits immune activation and indicates synergistic clinical activity with immunotherapy.

Keywords

Exercise; lung cancer; immunotherapy; HI AIM

Abstract submitters declaration yes
Conflict of Interest & Ethical Approval yes

Authors

Dr Katharina Leuchte (National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenha-gen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Ms Thy Viet Luu (National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenha-gen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Cecilia Bech Horsted (Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark) Sara Fresnillo Saló (National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenha-gen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Marianne Stensøe Oksen (Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Sebastian Moretto Krog (Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Kasper Madsen (National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenha-gen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Lise Heide Ottosen (Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Anne Pries Olsen (Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Anne Birgitte Christiansen (Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Marta Kramer Mikkelsen (Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark. Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.) Torben Lorentzen (Department of Gastric Surgery, Ultrasound Section, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.) Anne-Mette Ragle (Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Dorte Lisbet Nielsen (Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Anders Vinther (Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark) Gitte Fredberg Persson (Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Per thor Straten (National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK), Department of Oncology, Copenha-gen University Hospital Herlev, Herlev, Denmark.) Gitte Holmen Olofsson (National Center for Cancer Immune Therapy (CCIT-DK))

Presentation materials

20260723_HIAIM_firstclinicaldata_ISEO_v2_for_pdf.pdf