Journal article
Emerging signaling mediators in the anorexia–cachexia syndrome of cancer
Trends in Cancer, Vol.8(5), pp.397-403
05/2022
DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.01.004
PMCID: PMC9035074
PMID: 35190301
Abstract
The cachexia syndrome in cancer is characterized by weight loss resulting from the combination of anorexia and atrophy of adipose and skeletal muscle. For decades, inflammatory circulatory factors have been identified to regulate wasting, but inhibitors of these factors have not yielded the same clinical benefit as in animal models. Therefore, additional mediators of cachexia likely regulate this syndrome, and such factors might be more suitable for targeted intervention. We highlight several anorexia–cachexia signaling mediators, including activin A, myostatin, GDF15, and lipocalin-2. We discuss current evidence that these factors associate with cachexia in cancer patients, and summarize translational efforts including essential early-phase clinical trials. We conclude with thoughts on targeted and personalized approaches for future anti-cachexia treatments.
Recent findings have revealed new information on the likely roles of activin A and myostatin, and have identified GDF15 and lipocalin-2 as new signaling mediators of the cancer cachexia syndrome.These developments have led to several translational efforts including early-phase clinical trials.Additional data from cancer patients and late-stage clinical trials will be necessary to determine whether activin A, myostatin, GDF15, or lipocalin-2 will ultimately translate to actionable targets to treat cancer cachexia.The future of anti-cachexia treatment may lie in strategies involving more targeted and personalized approaches.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Emerging signaling mediators in the anorexia–cachexia syndrome of cancer
- Creators
- Erin E Talbert - HoldenDenis C Guttridge - MUSC Hollings Cancer Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Trends in Cancer, Vol.8(5), pp.397-403
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.01.004
- PMID
- 35190301
- PMCID
- PMC9035074
- NLM abbreviation
- Trends Cancer
- ISSN
- 2405-8033
- eISSN
- 2405-8025
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 05/2022
- Academic Unit
- Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology ; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984259394402771
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