Update on the treatment of cancer cachexia

Kenichi Nishie; Tomomi Nishie; Seiichi Sato; Masayuki Hanaoka

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103689

Update on the treatment of cancer cachexia

Drug Discov Today. 2023 Sep;28(9):103689. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103689. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Authors

Kenichi Nishie¹, Tomomi Nishie², Seiichi Sato³, Masayuki Hanaoka⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Respiratory Medicine, Iida Municipal Hospital, 438 Yawatamachi Iida Nagano, 395-0814, Japan; The First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Japan. Electronic address: kennishie@imh.jp.
² The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Japan.
³ Department of Pharmaceutics, Iida Municipal Hospital, Japan.
⁴ The First Department of Internal Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Japan.

PMID: 37385369
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103689

Abstract

Cancer cachexia is a complex multifaceted syndrome involving functional impairment and changes in body composition that cannot be reversed by nutritional support. Cancer cachexia is characterized by decreased skeletal muscle mass, increased lipolysis, and decreased food intake. Cancer cachexia decreases chemotherapy tolerance as well as quality of life. However, because no fully effective interventions are available, cancer cachexia remains an unmet need in cancer treatment. In recent years, several discoveries and treatments for cancer cachexia have been studied, and guidelines have been published. We believe that the development of effective strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer cachexia will lead to breakthroughs in cancer treatment.

Keywords: anorexia; cachexia; cancer therapy; malnutrition; weight loss.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anorexia / etiology
Cachexia* / drug therapy
Cachexia* / etiology
Humans
Neoplasms* / complications
Quality of Life