Physical activity and cancer biology: a narrative review of molecular mechanisms and introduction of the SCRUM-MONSTAR LIFELOG study.

Background: Physical activity (PA) has been consistently associated with improved cancer outcomes across multiple epidemiological studies. While the evidence for clinical benefits is strong, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent technological advances now enable both continuous monitoring of PA through wearable devices and comprehensive molecular profiling through multi-omics approaches, including whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based molecular residual disease (MRD) detection. This review examines current evidence regarding PA's effects on cancer biology and introduces the LIFELOG study, which aims to address critical knowledge gaps in this field.

Methods: We review the current literature on PA and cancer with emphasis on molecular mechanisms, and present the design of the LIFELOG study, an ancillary study to MONSTAR-SCREEN-3. The LIFELOG study will enroll 170 post-surgical cancer patients who will wear the mSafety™ wrist device for continuous PA monitoring. We will investigate associations between PA metrics and multi-omics profiles including WGS-based MRD detection, transcriptome analyses, plasma proteomics, and gut microbiome analyses. The feasibility phase has already begun with encouraging preliminary results regarding device compliance and data quality.

Discussion: Despite substantial evidence supporting PA's benefits in cancer prevention and survivorship, understanding which specific PA characteristics most effectively influence cancer outcomes remains unclear. The LIFELOG study represents the first comprehensive analysis integrating continuous PA monitoring with molecular profiling in cancer patients. By examining relationships between PA patterns and both MRD dynamics and multi-omics profiles, we aim to identify molecular mechanisms underlying exercise benefits and potentially guide development of evidence-based, precision PA interventions for cancer survivorship.

Trial registration: This ancillary study (Institutional Review Board number: 2024-111, approved on November 18, 2024) is conducted under the MONSTAR-SCREEN-3 trial platform, which is registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000053975, registered on March 27, 2024).