Cachexia

From Molecular Insights to Clinical Strategies: Delve into the complexities of cachexia, encompassing cancer cachexia, molecular mechanisms, and evolving therapeutic approaches. Discover the forefront of research aimed at understanding and combating this debilitating condition.

AllAgeingCachexiaCancer CachexiaClinical TrialsExerciseFrailtyFrom the literatureGuidelinesMuscleNutritionOther SCWD EventsSarcopenia

Functional liver genomics identifies hepatokines promoting wasting in cancer cachexia.

In cancer cachexia, the presence of a tumor triggers systemic metabolic disruption that leads to involuntary body weight loss and accelerated mortality in affected patients. Here, we conducted transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of the liver in various weight-stable cancer and...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-07-18
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Cell
Read MoreFunctional liver genomics identifies hepatokines promoting wasting in cancer cachexia.

Thymic Microenvironment Remodeling in Cancer Cachexia as a Determinant of Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy and Toxicity.

The discovery of immune checkpoints links autoimmunity and cancer, with thymus atrophy reportedly causing autoimmune multiorgan inflammation. The impact of cancer cachexia on thymic involution and its clinical significance remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate this effect and its...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-08-01
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Journal Of Cachexia Sarcopenia And Muscle
Read MoreThymic Microenvironment Remodeling in Cancer Cachexia as a Determinant of Checkpoint Inhibitor Efficacy and Toxicity.

High expression of the cachexia-related protein Fn14 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma correlates with poor chemotherapy response and anti-Fn14 therapy decreases chemotherapeutic resistance.

In cancer cachexia, cytokine release by tumours causes weight loss, decreased therapeutic efficacy, and worsened prognosis. Tumour necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and fibroblast inducible factor 14 (Fn14) are cancer cachexia-related proteins; however, their expression in oesophageal squamous...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-07-15
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: British Journal Of Cancer
Read MoreHigh expression of the cachexia-related protein Fn14 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma correlates with poor chemotherapy response and anti-Fn14 therapy decreases chemotherapeutic resistance.

The Combination of Fat Distribution and BMI Redefines Obesity: Result From NHANES.

Body mass index (BMI) has well-recognized limitations, particularly in the context of the 'obesity paradox', where higher BMI does not consistently evaluate adverse outcomes. These limitations underscore the need for alternative approaches. This study aimed to redefine obesity using anthropometric...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-08-01
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Journal Of Cachexia Sarcopenia And Muscle
Read MoreThe Combination of Fat Distribution and BMI Redefines Obesity: Result From NHANES.

MicroCT enables simultaneous longitudinal tracking of murine pancreatic cancer progression and cachexia.

Dual-contrast microCT provides high-resolution, whole-body, non-invasive imaging in orthotopic murine PDAC models, enabling simultaneous tracking of tumor growth, metastasis, and skeletal muscle wasting-offering a clinically relevant, translational imaging platform.

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-06-01
Read MoreMicroCT enables simultaneous longitudinal tracking of murine pancreatic cancer progression and cachexia.

Prediagnosis Insights Into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Clinical Symptoms and Medication Use.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has a prolonged latency period, though its preclinical characteristics remain poorly understood. This study uses UK Biobank data to explore and compare ALS's pre-diagnostic features, including symptoms and medication use, aiming to provide insights into the...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-08-01
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Journal Of Cachexia Sarcopenia And Muscle
Read MorePrediagnosis Insights Into Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Clinical Symptoms and Medication Use.

GDF15: from biomarker to target in cancer cachexia.

Most patients with advanced cancer suffer from cachexia, a complex metabolic disorder characterized by unintentional body weight loss that diminishes their quality of life and reduces the effectiveness of therapies. Currently, effective treatments for cachexia remain elusive. Growth differentiation factor...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-07-09
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Trends In Cancer
Read MoreGDF15: from biomarker to target in cancer cachexia.

Effect of Cancer Cachexia on the Efficacy and Treatment Delivery of Chemotherapy in Older Patients With Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Cachexia is a syndrome in patients with cancer that reduces life quality and prognosis, characterized by severe weight loss, muscle atrophy, and anorexia. How cachexia adversely affects older patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) remains uncertain. This study aimed...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-06-01
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Thoracic Cancer
Read MoreEffect of Cancer Cachexia on the Efficacy and Treatment Delivery of Chemotherapy in Older Patients With Advanced Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Anti-CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies Counteract Establishment of Food Aversive Memories and Chemotherapy-induced Anorexia and Weight Loss.

Glutamatergic neurons of external lateral parabrachial nucleus co-expressing calcitonin gene related peptide (elPB CGRP) negatively regulate food intake and establish food aversive memories. They also promote malaise-dependent anorexia, sickness behavior and tumor cachexia. In spite of the pathogenetic potential of...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-06-07
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Pharmacological Research
Read MoreAnti-CGRP Monoclonal Antibodies Counteract Establishment of Food Aversive Memories and Chemotherapy-induced Anorexia and Weight Loss.

Association Between Waist-to-Height Ratio Estimated Fat Mass Categories and Incident Fractures.

Although obesity is a well-known risk factor for various metabolic disorders, its impact on fracture risk remains uncertain. The inconsistency in findings may be due to the fact that most studies have relied solely on body mass index (BMI) as...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-06-01
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Journal Of Cachexia Sarcopenia And Muscle
Read MoreAssociation Between Waist-to-Height Ratio Estimated Fat Mass Categories and Incident Fractures.

Moderation Effect of Handgrip Strength on Cognition and Functional Independence Associations in Adults Over 90โ€‰Years.

The causal relationship between cognitive impairment and functional decline seems bidirectional in older adults. This study aimed to determine the moderating effect of handgrip strength on the relationship between cognition and functional independence among Brazilian nonagenarians and centenarians. A cross-sectional...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-06-01
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Journal Of Cachexia Sarcopenia And Muscle
Read MoreModeration Effect of Handgrip Strength on Cognition and Functional Independence Associations in Adults Over 90โ€‰Years.

Associations of Handgrip Strength and Testosterone With Cerebral White Matter Hyperintensity and Microstructural Injury.

White matter hyperintensity (WMH) is one of the key imaging markers of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and white matter microstructural injury may occur earlier than WMH. However, the associations of handgrip strength (HGS) and serum total testosterone (STT) with...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-06-01
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Journal Of Cachexia Sarcopenia And Muscle
Read MoreAssociations of Handgrip Strength and Testosterone With Cerebral White Matter Hyperintensity and Microstructural Injury.

Body Mass Index Changes and Femur Fracture Risk in Parkinson's Disease: National Cohort Study.

Parkinson's disease (PD) increases fracture risk owing to postural instability and bone fragility, with femur fractures being the most frequent and clinically significant. Many patients with PD experience weight loss as the disease progresses, and low body mass index (BMI)...

๐Ÿ—“๏ธ 2025-06-01
๐Ÿ“ฐ Publication: Journal Of Cachexia Sarcopenia And Muscle
Read MoreBody Mass Index Changes and Femur Fracture Risk in Parkinson's Disease: National Cohort Study.

CACHEXIA DEFINITION

Cachexia has been defined as a loss of lean tissue mass, involving a weight loss greater than 5% of body weight in 12โ€‰months or less in the presence of chronic illness or as a body mass index (BMI) lower than 20โ€‰kg/m2. In addition, usually three of the following five criteria are required: decreased muscle strength, fatigue, anorexia, low fat-free mass index, increase of inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein or interleukin (IL)-6 as well as anaemia or low serum albumin.

Cachexia can occur in most major diseases including infections, cancer, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke.

REFERENCES
Evans WJ, Morley JE, Argiles J, Bales C, Baracos V, Guttridge D, et al. Cachexia: a new definition. Clin Nutr 2008;27:793โ€“799

Fearon K, Strasser F, Anker SD, Bosaeus I, Bruera E, Fainsinger RL, Jatoi A, Loprinzi C, MacDonald N, Mantovani G, Davis M, Muscaritoli M, Ottery F, Radbruch L, Ravasco P, Walsh D, Wilcock A, Kaasa S, Baracos VE. Definition and classification of cancer cachexia: an international consensus. Lancet Oncol 2011;12:489โ€“495.

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