Counteracting inflammation: a promising therapy in cachexia

Disease progression in cancer is dependent on the complex interaction between the tumor and the host inflammatory response. Indeed, both the tumor and the patient produce cytokines that act on multiple target sites such as bone marrow, myocytes, hepatocytes, adipocytes, endothelial cells, and neurons, where they produce a complex cascade of biological responses leading to the wasting associated with cachexia. The cytokines that have been involved in this cachectic response are TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and interferon-gamma. Interestingly, these cytokines share the same metabolic effects, and their activities are closely interrelated. In many cases these cytokines exhibit synergic effects when administered together. Therefore, therapeutic strategies- either nutritional or pharmacological-have been based on either blocking their synthesis or their action.