Resistance training attenuated epigenetic aging during colon-cancer chemotherapy

Binder and colleagues analyzed blood DNA methylation from adults with stage II-III colon cancer enrolled in the randomized FORCE trial during adjuvant chemotherapy. The analysis included 171 participants at baseline and 147 with follow-up samples. DunedinPACE acceleration increased by 0.70 standard deviations per six months, with a 95% CI of 0.41 to 0.98. GrimAge acceleration increased by 0.29 standard deviations per six months, equivalent to about 1.2 years on the original scale. The usual-care group showed a significant GrimAge increase of 0.45 standard deviations per six months. The resistance-training group did not show a significant GrimAge increase. Baseline DunedinPACE acceleration was associated with greater adiposity and poorer physical function. Changes in clock acceleration were not strongly associated with changes in body composition or physical function. This is a human randomized intervention analysis with a clinically meaningful setting: cancer treatment. It does not show that resistance training slows aging in healthy adults or improves survival. The biological clock results may reflect treatment toxicity and recovery rather than general aging. The study supports exercise as a possible modifier of treatment-related biological stress, while leaving the relationship between clock changes and patient outcomes unresolved.

Epigenetic age acceleration increased during colon cancer treatment, with resistance training attenuating GrimAge acceleration. These intervention-responsive changes suggest DNAm-based aging measures may capture treatment-period physiologic changes not fully reflected by body composition or physical function changes.