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The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
Published on: November 30, 2016
Clinical development of ghrelin axis-derived molecules for cancer cachexia treatment
Sumbul Ali1, Ji-an Chen, Jose M Garcia
1aDivision of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, MCL, Center for Translational Research in Inflammatory Diseases, Michael E DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA bDepartment of Environmental Hygiene, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China cDept of Molecular and Cell Biology and Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA *Sumbul Ali and Ji-an Chen contributed equally to the writing of this article.
Purpose Of Review:
Cachexia is a devastating complication of cancer for which there is no approved treatment. Here we review the clinical development of ghrelin and ghrelin mimetics (also known as growth hormone secretagogues or GHS) for cancer cachexia treatment.
Recent Findings:
Ghrelin, a novel hormone known to increase appetite, lean and fat mass, and growth hormone secretion, is being developed as a therapeutic option for cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS). Recent animal studies suggest that it may also decrease inflammation and that some of its effects may be independent of its only known receptor, the GHS receptor-1a.Clinical studies recently have shown that administration of ghrelin or GHS improves appetite and quality of life as assessed by questionnaires. Weight gain, increased food intake and better tolerance to chemotherapy have also been reported. This treatment appears to be safe and well tolerated.
Summary:
Ghrelin and GHS have the potential to effectively prevent or reverse CACS. Preliminary studies show improvements in weight stabilization and appetite with short-term usage. Further studies are required to fully characterize the role of ghrelin and GHS for the treatment of CACS and to establish the safety of this approach.
Insights
Ghrelin and growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) show promise for treating cancer cachexia by improving appetite and quality of life. Further research is needed to confirm long-term safety and efficacy for this condition.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer cachexia is a severe complication of cancer with no current approved treatments.
- Ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite and growth, is being investigated for its therapeutic potential in cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical development of ghrelin and ghrelin mimetics (growth hormone secretagogues or GHS) for the treatment of cancer cachexia.
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ghrelin and GHS in managing CACS.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical development of ghrelin and GHS.
- Analysis of recent animal and clinical studies on ghrelin and GHS for CACS.
Main Results:
- Ghrelin and GHS administration has shown improvements in appetite, lean and fat mass, and quality of life in patients with CACS.
- Reported benefits include weight gain, increased food intake, and better tolerance to chemotherapy.
- The treatment appears to be safe and well-tolerated in preliminary studies.
Conclusions:
- Ghrelin and GHS demonstrate potential in preventing or reversing CACS, with preliminary evidence of short-term benefits in weight stabilization and appetite.
- Further comprehensive studies are necessary to fully establish the role and long-term safety of ghrelin and GHS in CACS treatment.
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