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Review

Physical Activity and Depression in Breast Cancer Patients: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential

1
Department of Oncology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
2
The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
3
The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510500, China
4
Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518000, China
5
School of Nursing, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
6
Department of Oncology, Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518000, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(2), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32020077
Submission received: 12 December 2024 / Revised: 21 January 2025 / Accepted: 22 January 2025 / Published: 29 January 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Breast Cancer)

Abstract

Breast cancer is a significant traumatic experience that often leads to chronic stress and mental health challenges. Research has consistently shown that physical activity—especially exercise—can alleviate depressive symptoms; however, the specific biological mechanisms underlying these antidepressant effects remain unclear. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the biological mechanisms of depression and the antidepressant mechanisms of physical activity and explore the biological processes through which exercise exerts its antidepressant effects in breast cancer patients. We focus on the impact of physical activity on inflammation, the endocrine system, glutamate, and other aspects, all of which play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of depression. Moreover, we discuss the heterogeneity of depression in breast cancer patients and the complex interactions between its underlying mechanisms. Additionally, we propose that a deeper understanding of these mechanisms in the breast cancer population can guide the design and implementation of exercise-based interventions that maximize the antidepressant benefits of physical activity. Finally, we summarize the current research and propose future research directions.
Keywords: breast cancer; depression; physical activity; inflammation; neuroplasticity breast cancer; depression; physical activity; inflammation; neuroplasticity

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Li, A.; Zheng, X.; Liu, D.; Huang, R.; Ge, H.; Cheng, L.; Zhang, M.; Cheng, H. Physical Activity and Depression in Breast Cancer Patients: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32, 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32020077

AMA Style

Li A, Zheng X, Liu D, Huang R, Ge H, Cheng L, Zhang M, Cheng H. Physical Activity and Depression in Breast Cancer Patients: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Current Oncology. 2025; 32(2):77. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32020077

Chicago/Turabian Style

Li, Anlong, Xinyi Zheng, Dajie Liu, Runze Huang, Han Ge, Ling Cheng, Mingjun Zhang, and Huaidong Cheng. 2025. "Physical Activity and Depression in Breast Cancer Patients: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential" Current Oncology 32, no. 2: 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32020077

APA Style

Li, A., Zheng, X., Liu, D., Huang, R., Ge, H., Cheng, L., Zhang, M., & Cheng, H. (2025). Physical Activity and Depression in Breast Cancer Patients: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential. Current Oncology, 32(2), 77. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32020077

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