Weight loss in patients with advanced cancer: effects, causes, and potential management

The past 2 years have yielded interesting observations that have challenged our understanding of and approach to treating cancer-associated weight loss in patients with advanced, incurable malignancies. This review provides an update of such observations and places them within the context of previous work.

The mechanisms that underlie cancer-associated weight loss remain elusive, but recent studies suggest that this weight loss might be mediated by downregulation of insulin-like growth factor-1; macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 has also been implicated. Although recent clinical trials have not provided major additions to the armamentarium of palliative approaches, such laboratory-based findings provide targets for future palliative trials.

The limited palliative options available to patients with cancer-associated weight loss underscore the need for continued laboratory and clinical investigation.