Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Christina M. Dieli-Conwright, PhD, MPH

Christina M. Dieli-Conwright, PhD, MPH

Population Sciences
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Biography

Christina M. Dieli-Conwright, PhD, MPH

Christina M. Dieli-Conwright is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School and in the Division of Population Sciences of the Department of Medical Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She holds a secondary appointment as Associate Professor of Nutrition in the Department of Nutrition at the T.H. Chan Harvard School of Public Health and is adjunct faculty at the Joslin Diabetes Center and the Boston University. Her research is focused on examining mechanisms by which post-diagnosis exercise can impact cancer prognosis with a specific focus on biomarkers of metabolic dysregulation related to tumor growth, inflammation, gut microbiome, and body composition. She derives randomized controlled trials to test whether various types of prescriptive exercise improve cancer outcomes in individuals diagnosed with cancer, across the lifespan from adolescents and young adults to older adults. Additionally, Dr. Dieli-Conwright examines cardiometabolic diseases in underrepresented minority cancer survivors and utilizes lifestyle interventions to reduce the onset or exacerbation of comorbidities in said population. Dr. Dieli-Conwright has a history of funding from the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, Department of Defense, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, American Institute for Cancer Research, Pfizer, and foundation grants. Prior to joining DFCI in 2020, she was the Director of the Integrative Center for Oncology Research in Exercise and an Assistant Professor of Biokinesiology and Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC). She completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the City of Hope National Medical Center after earning her PhD in Biokinesiology from USC.

Researcher

Physician

Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Associate Professor of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Heatlh

Fellowship

  • Cancer Etiology, City of Hope National Center, Duarte, CA

Recent Awards

  • Helen Trailblazer Award, 2023
  • Top Cancer Health Disparities Abstract, 2020
  • Fellow, Multilevel Training Institute, 2020
  • Best of Society of Integrative Oncology Abstract, 2019
  • Young Investigator Award, Global Breast Cancer Conference, 2019
  • Top Cancer Health Disparities Abstract Award, American Society of Preventive Oncology, 2019
  • Fellow, NCI Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Workshop, 2017
  • Mentoring Award for Graduate Students, 2017
  • Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine, 2016

Research

    View Dr. Dieli-Conwright’s Research

    Using an “Exercise is Medicine” approach, Dr. Dieli-Conwright's research is centered on testing personalized exercise interventions to improve cancer outcomes among individuals across the lifespan diagnosed with cancer.
    Rooted in clinical exercise physiology, her research examines mechanisms by which post-diagnosis exercise can impact cancer outcomes with a specific focus on biomarkers related to body composition, inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and cognition. She derives randomized controlled trials to test whether various types of prescriptive exercise improve cancer outcomes in individuals diagnosed with cancer, across the lifespan from adolescents and young adults to older adults. Additionally, she examines cardiometabolic diseases in minority cancer survivors and utilizes lifestyle interventions to reduce the onset of comorbidities that are more prevalent in minority cancer survivors.
    Thus far, her work has largely focused on breast cancer, as Dr. Dieli-Conwright currently leads clinical trials examining the effect of exercise on body composition, adipose tissue inflammation, and cognitive function in breast cancer survivors. She also leads investigations in endometrial, colorectal, prostate, and hematologic cancers. Dr. Dieli-Conwright has a history of funding from the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, American Institute for Cancer Research, and foundation grants.

    Research Departments

    Publications

      View Dr. Dieli-Conwright's Publications

      • Exercise and Nutrition to Improve Cancer Treatment-Related Outcomes (ENICTO). J Natl Cancer Inst. 2025 Jan 01; 117(1):9-19. View in: Pubmed

      • Prehabilitation Exercise Training to Target Improved Muscle Strength in Pretransplant Patients Diagnosed With Multiple Myeloma: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2024 Dec 19; 13:e64905. View in: Pubmed

      • Testing home-based exercise strategies in underserved minority cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (THRIVE) trial: a study protocol. Front Oncol. 2024; 14:1427046. View in: Pubmed

      • Effects of high-intensity interval training on cardiometabolic biomarkers in patients with prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance: a randomized controlled trial. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2024 Jul 15. View in: Pubmed

      • Low physical function following cancer diagnosis is associated with higher mortality risk in postmenopausal women. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2024 Jul 01; 116(7):1035-1042. View in: Pubmed

      • Resistance Exercise and Skeletal Muscle-Related Outcomes in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2024 Sep 01; 56(9):1747-1758. View in: Pubmed

      • Perceived stress and associations between physical activity, sedentary time, and interstitial glucose in healthy adolescents. Physiol Behav. 2024 Sep 01; 283:114617. View in: Pubmed

      • Measurement of Cognitive Function in Exercise Oncology Studies in Patients Treated With Chemotherapy: A Scoping Review. Integr Cancer Ther. 2024 Jan-Dec; 23:15347354241265349. View in: Pubmed

      • Exercise and Nutrition Interventions for Prehabilitation in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Cancers: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2023 Dec 08; 15(24). View in: Pubmed

      • Exercise Training Reduces the Inflammatory Response and Promotes Intestinal Mucosa-Associated Immunity in Lynch Syndrome. Clin Cancer Res. 2023 11 01; 29(21):4361-4372. View in: Pubmed

      • Incorporating Exercise Training into Cardio-Oncology Care: Current Evidence and Opportunities: JACC: CardioOncology State-of-the-Art Review. JACC CardioOncol. 2023 Oct; 5(5):553-569. View in: Pubmed

      • Exercise as Medicine in Cardio-Oncology: Reducing Health Disparities in Hispanic and Latina Breast Cancer Survivors. Curr Oncol Rep. 2023 11; 25(11):1237-1245. View in: Pubmed

      • Physical activity and physical fitness assessments in adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer: a scoping review. Support Care Cancer. 2023 Sep 11; 31(10):569. View in: Pubmed

      • Obesity Risk of Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumor Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nutrients. 2023 May 11; 15(10). View in: Pubmed

      • Pharmacokinetics of cancer therapeutics and energy balance: the role of diet intake, energy expenditure, and body composition. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2023 05 04; 2023(61):3-11. View in: Pubmed

      • Improving Cognitive Function Through High-Intensity Interval Training in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc. 2023 Apr 07; 12:e39740. View in: Pubmed

      • Benefits and Barriers of Technology for Home Function and Mobility Assessment: Perspectives of Older Patients With Blood Cancers, Caregivers, and Clinicians. JCO Clin Cancer Inform. 2023 04; 7:e2200171. View in: Pubmed

      • A review of research on the intersection between breast cancer and cardiovascular research in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). Front Oncol. 2022; 12:1039246. View in: Pubmed

      • Impact of exercise on physical health status in bladder cancer patients. Can Urol Assoc J. 2023 Jan; 17(1):E8-E14. View in: Pubmed

      • High-intensity interval training improves metabolic syndrome in women with breast cancer receiving Anthracyclines. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2023 Apr; 33(4):475-484. View in: Pubmed

      • Efficacy of resistive exercise on skeletal muscle-related outcomes in cancer survivors: a systematic review protocol. Syst Rev. 2022 11 23; 11(1):252. View in: Pubmed

      • A bench to bedside perspective on anthracycline chemotherapy-mediated cardiovascular dysfunction: challenges and opportunities. A symposium review. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2022 12 01; 133(6):1415-1429. View in: Pubmed

      • Virtual frailty assessment for older adults with hematologic malignancies. Blood Adv. 2022 09 27; 6(18):5360-5363. View in: Pubmed

      • Effect of exercise on tumor markers - Is exercise anti-tumorigenic in humans?: A scoping review of preliminary clinical investigations. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2022 Oct; 178:103779. View in: Pubmed

      • Interventions to Reduce Sedentary Behavior in Cancer Patients and Survivors: a Systematic Review. Curr Oncol Rep. 2022 11; 24(11):1593-1605. View in: Pubmed

      • Long-term dietary intervention influence on physical activity in the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification randomized trial. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2022 Aug; 195(1):43-54. View in: Pubmed

      • Improved Sleep Quality Is Associated with Reduced Insulin Resistance in Cancer Survivors Undertaking Circuit, Interval-Based Exercise. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2022 07 01; 31(7):1509-1510. View in: Pubmed

      • Targeting Adiposity and Inflammation With Movement to Improve Prognosis in Breast Cancer Survivors (The AIM Trial): Rationale, Design, and Methods. Front Oncol. 2022; 12:896995. View in: Pubmed

      • The Effect of Exercise and Nutritional Interventions on Body Composition in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Cancer: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2022 May 18; 14(10). View in: Pubmed

      • Reducing Metabolic Dysregulation in Obese Latina and/or Hispanic Breast Cancer Survivors Using Physical Activity (ROSA) Trial: A Study Protocol. Front Oncol. 2022; 12:864844. View in: Pubmed

      • Exercise oncology during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic: Are virtually supervised exercise interventions a sustainable alternative? Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2022 Jun; 174:103699. View in: Pubmed

      • Attention to diet, exercise, and weight in oncology care: Results of an American Society of Clinical Oncology national patient survey. Cancer. 2022 07 15; 128(14):2817-2825. View in: Pubmed

      • Impact of a randomized weight loss trial on breast tissue markers in breast cancer survivors. NPJ Breast Cancer. 2022 Mar 07; 8(1):29. View in: Pubmed

      • Metabolic syndrome and breast cancer survivors: a follow-up analysis after completion of chemotherapy. Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2022 Mar 03; 14(1):36. View in: Pubmed

      • Cardiometabolic risk factors, physical activity, and postmenopausal breast cancer mortality: results from the Women's Health Initiative. BMC Womens Health. 2022 02 05; 22(1):32. View in: Pubmed

      • Exercise Cardio-Oncology: Exercise as a Potential Therapeutic Modality in the Management of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021; 8:805735. View in: Pubmed

      • Aerobic and resistance exercise improve patient-reported sleep quality and is associated with cardiometabolic biomarkers in Hispanic and non-Hispanic breast cancer survivors who are overweight or obese: results from a secondary analysis. Sleep. 2021 10 11; 44(10). View in: Pubmed

      • Fasting and Exercise in Oncology: Potential Synergism of Combined Interventions. Nutrients. 2021 Sep 28; 13(10). View in: Pubmed

      • Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTS-c in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White breast cancer survivors. Sci Rep. 2021 08 19; 11(1):16916. View in: Pubmed

      • Effect of high-intensity interval training on patient-reported outcomes and physical function in women with breast cancer receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Nov; 29(11):6863-6870. View in: Pubmed

      • Caloric and nutrient restriction to augment chemotherapy efficacy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the IDEAL trial. Blood Adv. 2021 04 13; 5(7):1853-1861. View in: Pubmed

      • Child physical activity as a modifier of the relationship between prenatal exposure to maternal overweight/obesity and neurocognitive outcomes in offspring. Int J Obes (Lond). 2021 06; 45(6):1310-1320. View in: Pubmed

      • Harnessing Nutrition and Physical Activity for Breast Cancer Prevention and Control to Reduce Racial/Ethnic Cancer Health Disparities. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book. 2021 Mar; 41:1-17. View in: Pubmed

      • Effect of Periodized Resistance Training on Skeletal Muscle During Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Pilot Randomized Trial. Integr Cancer Ther. 2021 Jan-Dec; 20:15347354211035442. View in: Pubmed

      • Aerobic and resistance exercise improves Reynolds risk score in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors. Cardiooncology. 2020 Nov 24; 6(1):27. View in: Pubmed

      • Feasibility of quantifying change in immune white cells in abdominal adipose tissue in response to an immune modulator in clinical obesity. PLoS One. 2020; 15(9):e0237496. View in: Pubmed

      • Hispanic ethnicity as a moderator of the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on physical fitness and quality-of-life in breast cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv. 2021 02; 15(1):127-139. View in: Pubmed

      • Prehabilitative Exercise for the Enhancement of Physical, Psychosocial, and Biological Outcomes Among Patients Diagnosed with Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep. 2020 06 15; 22(7):71. View in: Pubmed

      • Interstitial glucose and subsequent affective and physical feeling states: A pilot study combining continuous glucose monitoring and ecological momentary assessment in adolescents. J Psychosom Res. 2020 08; 135:110141. View in: Pubmed

      • Effect of High Intensity Interval Training on Matrix Metalloproteinases in Women with Breast Cancer Receiving Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy. Sci Rep. 2020 04 03; 10(1):5839. View in: Pubmed

      • Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Improves Shoulder Function in Women Who Are Overweight or Obese and Have Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Phys Ther. 2019 10 28; 99(10):1334-1345. View in: Pubmed

      • Feasibility of high intensity interval training in patients with breast Cancer undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy: a randomized pilot trial. BMC Cancer. 2019 Jul 03; 19(1):653. View in: Pubmed

      • Effects of high-intensity interval training on vascular endothelial function and vascular wall thickness in breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy: a randomized pilot study. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2019 Sep; 177(2):477-485. View in: Pubmed

      • Effect of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise Intervention on Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Oncol. 2019 May 01; 5(5):710-714. View in: Pubmed

      • The Impact of Obesity on Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment. Curr Oncol Rep. 2019 03 27; 21(5):41. View in: Pubmed

      • Hispanic ethnicity as a moderator of the effects of aerobic and resistance exercise in survivors of breast cancer. Cancer. 2019 03 15; 125(6):910-920. View in: Pubmed

      • Aerobic and resistance exercise improves physical fitness, bone health, and quality of life in overweight and obese breast cancer survivors: a randomized controlled trial. Breast Cancer Res. 2018 10 19; 20(1):124. View in: Pubmed

      • Body Composition with Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis in Breast Cancer Survivors. Nutr Clin Pract. 2019 Jun; 34(3):421-427. View in: Pubmed

      • Effects of high-intensity interval training on vascular function in breast cancer survivors undergoing anthracycline chemotherapy: design of a pilot study. BMJ Open. 2018 06 30; 8(6):e022622. View in: Pubmed

      • Reply to E. Parkin et al. J Clin Oncol. 2018 07 10; 36(20):2129-2130. View in: Pubmed

      • Impact of resistance training on body composition and metabolic syndrome variables during androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer: a pilot randomized controlled trial. BMC Cancer. 2018 04 03; 18(1):368. View in: Pubmed

      • Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Metabolic Syndrome, Sarcopenic Obesity, and Circulating Biomarkers in Overweight or Obese Survivors of Breast Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Oncol. 2018 03 20; 36(9):875-883. View in: Pubmed

      • Adipose tissue inflammation in breast cancer survivors: effects of a 16-week combined aerobic and resistance exercise training intervention. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2018 Feb; 168(1):147-157. View in: Pubmed

      • Adipocytes Sequester and Metabolize the Chemotherapeutic Daunorubicin. Mol Cancer Res. 2017 12; 15(12):1704-1713. View in: Pubmed

      • A pilot randomised controlled trial of a periodised resistance training and protein supplementation intervention in prostate cancer survivors on androgen deprivation therapy. BMJ Open. 2017 Jul 10; 7(7):e016910. View in: Pubmed

      • Objective physical and mental markers of self-reported fatigue in women undergoing (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer. Cancer. 2017 05 15; 123(10):1810-1816. View in: Pubmed

      • A review of clinical effects associated with metabolic syndrome and exercise in prostate cancer patients. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2016 12; 19(4):323-332. View in: Pubmed

      • Reducing the Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence: an Evaluation of the Effects and Mechanisms of Diet and Exercise. Curr Breast Cancer Rep. 2016; 8(3):139-150. View in: Pubmed

      • An observational study to examine changes in metabolic syndrome components in patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer. 2016 Sep 01; 122(17):2646-53. View in: Pubmed

      • Acute Response of PGC-1a and IGF-1 Isoforms to Maximal Eccentric Exercise in Skeletal Muscle of Postmenopausal Women. J Strength Cond Res. 2016 Apr; 30(4):1161-70. View in: Pubmed

      • Exercise after breast cancer treatment: current perspectives. Breast Cancer (Dove Med Press). 2015; 7:353-62. View in: Pubmed

      • Evaluation of central and peripheral fatigue in the quadriceps using fractal dimension and conduction velocity in young females. PLoS One. 2015; 10(4):e0123921. View in: Pubmed

      • Randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of combined progressive exercise on metabolic syndrome in breast cancer survivors: rationale, design, and methods. BMC Cancer. 2014 Apr 03; 14:238. View in: Pubmed

      • Validation and feasibility of a caloric expenditure measuring device in women with early-stage breast cancer. Support Care Cancer. 2014 Sep; 22(9):2329-36. View in: Pubmed

      • Long-term and baseline recreational physical activity and risk of endometrial cancer: the California Teachers Study. Br J Cancer. 2013 Aug 06; 109(3):761-8. View in: Pubmed

      • Increased long-term recreational physical activity is associated with older age at natural menopause among heavy smokers: the California Teachers Study. Menopause. 2013 Mar; 20(3):282-90. View in: Pubmed

      • Hormone therapy and maximal eccentric exercise alters myostatin-related gene expression in postmenopausal women. J Strength Cond Res. 2012 May; 26(5):1374-82. View in: Pubmed

      • Value of measuring muscle performance to assess changes in lean mass with testosterone and growth hormone supplementation. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2012 Mar; 112(3):1123-31. View in: Pubmed

      • Does hormone therapy counter the beneficial effects of physical activity on breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women? Cancer Causes Control. 2011 Mar; 22(3):515-22. View in: Pubmed

      • Does a variation in self-reported physical activity reflect variation in objectively measured physical activity, resting heart rate, and physical fitness? Results from the Tromso study. Scand J Public Health. 2010 Nov; 38(5 Suppl):105-18. View in: Pubmed

      • The Stayhealthy bioelectrical impedance analyzer predicts body fat in children and adults. Nutr Res. 2010 May; 30(5):297-304. View in: Pubmed

      • Hormone replacement therapy and messenger RNA expression of estrogen receptor coregulators after exercise in postmenopausal women. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Mar; 42(3):422-9. View in: Pubmed

      • Exercise does not influence myostatin and follistatin messenger RNA expression in young women. J Strength Cond Res. 2010 Feb; 24(2):522-30. View in: Pubmed

      • Influence of hormone replacement therapy on eccentric exercise induced myogenic gene expression in postmenopausal women. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2009 Nov; 107(5):1381-8. View in: Pubmed

      • Hormone therapy attenuates exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage in postmenopausal women. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2009 Sep; 107(3):853-8. View in: Pubmed

      • Validation of the CardioCoachCO2 for submaximal and maximal metabolic exercise testing. J Strength Cond Res. 2009 Jul; 23(4):1316-20. View in: Pubmed

      • Oestradiol and SERM treatments influence oestrogen receptor coregulator gene expression in human skeletal muscle cells. Acta Physiol (Oxf). 2009 Nov; 197(3):187-96. View in: Pubmed

      • Validity and reliability of body composition analysers in children and adults. Br J Nutr. 2008 Oct; 100(4):859-65. View in: Pubmed

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