Combined treatment with GH, insulin, and indomethacin alleviates cancer cachexia in a mouse model

Cancer-induced cachexia involves weight loss, catabolic activity, and inflammation. We have evaluated the effects of various treatments (GH, insulin (INS), indomethacin (IND), and all possible combinations) on cancer cachexia in a mouse model. BALB/c mice that were implanted with colon-26 adenocarcinoma developed cachexia in 9 days. Body weight, tumor volume, tumor-free weight, inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL6)), and nutritional markers (glucose (Glu), albumin, triglycerides (TGs)) of treatment and control groups were monitored. In the cachexia group, there was a significant decrease in tumor-free bodyweight by day 11. Treatment with GH+INS+IND significantly alleviated tumor-free bodyweight reduction and cachexia-induced changes in nutritional markers and cytokines, and prolonged survival time. GH+INS+IND treatment was more effective than other treatment combinations in elevating Glu and TGs, reducing TNF-α and IL6 levels, and prolonging survival time. In conclusion, GH+INS+IND alleviated cachexia symptoms in a murine model of cancer cachexia.