# Why Losing Muscle With Age May Raise Your Cancer Risk

*Sarcopenia promotes tumorigenesis by disrupting NOTCH-SDC2-regulated biogenesis of muscle-derived extracellular vesicles.*

- **Evidence Level**: Preliminary
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article
- **Journal**: Nature communications
- **Sample Size**: Fruit fly and mouse cancer models
- **Authors**: Goh KY, Lee WX, Gou Q, Choy SM, Ong SC, Gopal Krishnan PD, Wang H, Turqueza LRR, Tan QH, Chua K, Li S, Nishiyama J, Harmston N, Tang HW
- **Published**: 2026-04-27
- **Topics**: sarcopenia, cancer, exercise
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-72410-y
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42045191/

## Summary

Healthy muscle releases tiny packets called extracellular vesicles that actually suppress tumor growth. As muscle shrinks with age (sarcopenia), it sends out fewer of these protective packets. In flies and mice, this helped tumors grow more easily. Exercise reactivated the pathway that produces these anti-tumor vesicles.

## Practical Takeaway

This study suggests maintaining muscle through exercise may support the body's natural anti-tumor signaling.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-cities.com/en/research/why-losing-muscle-with-age-may-raise-your-cancer-risk · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-04-27_