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SCWD Publications Digest

Staying informed on the latest in cachexia, sarcopenia, and wasting disorders research is essential yet challenging. The SCWD Digest offers concise updates and expert insights into significant studies and developments. We highlight and link directly to leading research, making it easier for healthcare professionals to access and apply groundbreaking findings. Our goal: empower the medical community to advance patient care worldwide efficiently.

AllAgeingCachexiaCancer CachexiaClinical TrialsExerciseFrailtyFrom the literatureGuidelinesMuscleNutritionOther SCWD EventsSarcopenia

Cancer Cachexia: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

This comprehensive review sheds light on cancer cachexia (CC), a significant condition marked by muscle wasting in cancer patients, emphasizing its molecular mechanisms and potential treatments. Highlighting the challenge CC presents, especially in older individuals, the article discusses the multifaceted approach needed to combat this syndrome.

📰 Journal: Clinical Nutrition
Read MoreCancer Cachexia: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies

Sarcopenia Metrics and Quality of Life Components: What Is the Link?

Sarcopenia is known to be negatively associated with quality of life in affected patients. However, the individual impacts of its metrics, i.e. muscle mass, strength, and physical performance, on patients’ overall quality of life remain to be thoroughly investigated.

This pre-printed study aimed to characterise the associations between sarcopenia metrics and quality of life outcomes in community-dwelling older adults from the SOMMA (Study of Muscle, Mobility and Aging) study. Health-related quality of life was ascertained using the EQ-5D questionnaire, which measures 5 subcomponents: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain and discomfort, as well as anxiety and depression.

Read MoreSarcopenia Metrics and Quality of Life Components: What Is the Link?

Sarcopenia and Type 2 Diabetes: A Bidirectional Relationship

Sarcopenia is characterised by age-related reductions in skeletal muscle strength, mass, and functional ability. Importantly, sarcopenia is a multifactorial condition associated with metabolic alterations, including poor glucose disposal, insulin resistance, decreased metabolic rate and, thus, type 2 diabetes (T2D). Developing non-pharmaceutical guidelines for the prevention and treatment of both diseases when they coexist is essential to optimise patient health and reduce premature mortality within this patient population.

This review aimed to examine 1) the pathophysiological link between sarcopenia and T2D, and 2) lifestyle interventions with the potential to mitigate both sarcopenia and T2D.

📰 Journal: Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2023
Read MoreSarcopenia and Type 2 Diabetes: A Bidirectional Relationship

Leucine-enriched Protein Supplementation for the Pre-frail: What Are the Benefits?

It is known that one in five adults with pre-frailty progresses to frailty over a 3-year period. Low protein and energy intake, increased prevalence of multimorbidity, and a sedentary lifestyle are well-characterised drivers of sarcopenia. Consequently, they act as catalysts of older adults’ transition to frailty. In this vein, stimulating increased muscle protein synthesis through regular physical exercise and protein-enriched diet consumption is pivotal for pre-frail older adults. Current U.S. Food and Nutrition Board guidelines recommend a dietary allowance of 0.8 g/kg of protein per day for older adults. However, this amount may be insufficient for those with pre-frailty due to their low-grade inflammation, multimorbidity, and increased susceptibility to anabolic resistance.

This study aimed to examine the impact of leucine-enriched protein supplementation with or without exercise on 1) physical function, 2) body composition, and 3) systemic inflammation in pre-frail older adults with a daily protein consumption of ≤1 g/kg.

Read MoreLeucine-enriched Protein Supplementation for the Pre-frail: What Are the Benefits?

GDF-15: a mediator of exercise’s link with late-life weight loss?

Ageing is often associated with appetite reduction and ensuing weight loss. Although it is known that physical activity (PA) can prevent these ageing-related processes, the exact molecular mechanisms underpinning this ability remain unknown. Recent research has highlighted the role of exerkines, i.e. proteins released during and after PA, in controlling energy metabolism. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15), a stress-signalling cytokine secreted during PA and involved in ageing, exercise, and appetite control, has emerged as a potential mediator of late-life, ageing-related weight loss.

This study aimed to explore the associations between PA, GDF-15, and body weight changes in older adults enrolled in the Multidomain Alzheimer Preventive Trial over a 3-year period.

📰 Journal: Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
Read MoreGDF-15: a mediator of exercise’s link with late-life weight loss?

Age-Related Spinal Deformity: a Consequence of Sarcopenia?

This study investigates the connection between sarcopenia and age-related spinal deformities, focusing on lumbar paravertebral muscles (PVM) quality and volume. Results show that sarcopenic patients have higher ectopic fat infiltration in PVM, contributing to spinal deformities, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing sarcopenia in relation to spinal health.

📰 Journal: Spine 2022
Read MoreAge-Related Spinal Deformity: a Consequence of Sarcopenia?

Appetite Loss, Malnutrition, and Mortality: a Significant Association in Need of Urgent Recognition?

This systematic literature review highlights the underrecognition of appetite loss in older adults and its association with malnutrition and mortality. The study underscores the urgent need for standardized screening and comprehensive guidelines to improve the assessment and management of appetite loss in this population.

📰 Journal: Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle 2023
Read MoreAppetite Loss, Malnutrition, and Mortality: a Significant Association in Need of Urgent Recognition?

Sarcopenia and its Prognostic Value in Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer

This study reveals the prognostic value of sarcopenia measurements in patients with advanced metastatic gastroesophageal cancer, showing its association with poor overall and progression-free survival. The findings highlight the importance of considering sarcopenia status alongside clinical variables for better prognostication.

Read MoreSarcopenia and its Prognostic Value in Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer

Metabolic Dysfunction and Candidate Biomarkers: an Overview of Anorexia of Ageing

This article provides an overview of the current state of research on anorexia of ageing, its metabolic implications, and potential biomarkers, highlighting the need for further investigation into appetite regulation in older adults to improve health outcomes and personalized nutritional care.

Read MoreMetabolic Dysfunction and Candidate Biomarkers: an Overview of Anorexia of Ageing

Cancer cachexia risk score for digestive tract cancer: a review

Cancer cachexia, a form of malnutrition, can be viewed as a determinant of prognosis. However, there are no effective therapies or treatments for this condition. Hence, the identification of high-risk patients remains crucial for the assessment and management of cancer cachexia. The cancer cachexia risk score was validated to show good performance; it successfully identified at-risk digestive tract cancer patients before abdominal surgery. This risk score can provide vital help to clinicians in their cancer cachexia screening process, allowing them to understand a patient’s prognosis and build better-informed decisions for abdominal surgery.
This review by Tan S et al. aimed to discuss the cancer cachexia risk score in relation to digestive tract cancer patients, to understand whether survival risks can be identified prior to surgery.

Read MoreCancer cachexia risk score for digestive tract cancer: a review

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