Therapeutic effects of androgens for cachexia

Luca Giovanelli; Richard Quinton

doi:10.1016/j.beem.2021.101598

Therapeutic effects of androgens for cachexia

Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Sep;36(5):101598. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2021.101598. Epub 2021 Nov 10.

Authors

Luca Giovanelli¹, Richard Quinton²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20100, Milan, Italy; Department of Endocrine and Metabolic Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, 20100, Milan, Italy; Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals, NE1 4LP, UK. Electronic address: luca.giovanelli@unimi.it.
² Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals, NE1 4LP, UK; Translational & Clinical Research Institute, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 3BZ, UK. Electronic address: Richard.Quinton@ncl.ac.uk.

PMID: 34801415
DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2021.101598

Abstract

Cachexia is a complex wasting syndrome, accompanying a variety of end-stage chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart failure and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). It significantly affects patients' quality of life and survival. Multiple therapeutic approaches have been studied over time. However, despite promising results, no drug has been approved to date. In this review, we examine and discuss the available data on the therapeutic effects of androgens and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) for cachexia.

Keywords: HIV; androgens; cachexia; muscle wasting; selective androgen receptor modulators; testosterone.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Androgen Antagonists / pharmacology
Androgen Antagonists / therapeutic use
Androgens* / therapeutic use
Cachexia* / drug therapy
Cachexia* / etiology
Humans
Quality of Life
Receptors, Androgen / therapeutic use

Substances

Androgen Antagonists
Androgens
Receptors, Androgen