Mahdieh Molanouri Shamsi

Cancer patients appear to be a high-risk category to experience coronavirus disease (COVID-۱۹) with more severe symptoms, especially due to damage to immune defenses and the consequences of anti-neoplastic treatments. Evidence suggests that patients with SARS-CoV-۲, who previously suffered from rheumatological immune diseases and other inflammatory diseases, are more fragile to an acute respiratory syndrome caused by cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Exercise training can be effective in improving the immune system s response to infectious disease, reducing hospitalization, and mortality. It has been reported that regular physical exercise training can induce positive changes in anxiety, depression, immune and physiological responses in cancer patients. Moreover, some dietary supplements such as essential vitamins and minerals have always been considered to boost immune responses in cancer patients. These supplements have also been suggested as a strategy to prevent severe cases of COVID-۱۹. In recent years, however, the effects of some special supplements on the treatment of cancer patients have been debated. Exercise training and supplementation can improve immune system responses. The purpose of this article is to review the interaction between nutritional supplements and exercise training in controlling risk factors associated with COVID-۱۹ in cancer patients. Combining these two factors can be a possible strategy for improving immune responses against COVID-۱۹ and probably improving vaccine responses.

Cancer؛ coronavirus؛ Physical exercise؛ Immune system