Selective androgen receptor modulators for the prevention and treatment of muscle wasting associated with cancer

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Updated: May 6, 2026

The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
08:55

The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia

Published on: November 30, 2016

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James T Dalton1, Ryan P Taylor, Michael L Mohler

  • 1All authors work for GTx, Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care
|November 6, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) show promise for treating cancer-related muscle wasting. These agents increase muscle mass and improve function with fewer side effects than traditional androgens.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Muscle Physiology

Background:

  • Muscle wasting (cachexia) is a common cancer symptom impacting quality of life, chemotherapy tolerance, and survival.
  • Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) target anabolic pathways to increase muscle mass and improve physical function.
  • SARMs offer potential advantages over traditional androgens, including oral activity and tissue selectivity with reduced side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the emerging role of SARMs in the prevention and treatment of cancer-related muscle wasting.
  • To highlight clinical development and efficacy data of specific SARM agents.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical efficacy data for SARMs, including LGD-4033, MK-0773, MK-3984, and enobosarm.
  • Analysis of Phase III clinical trial results (POWER1 and POWER2) for enobosarm in non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Main Results:

  • Enobosarm (GTx-024) has shown consistent increases in lean body mass and improved physical function across various populations.
  • Enobosarm demonstrated a lower hazard ratio for survival in cancer patients.
  • SARMs have shown efficacy in increasing muscle mass and physical function without observed androgenic side effects at therapeutic doses.

Conclusions:

  • Enobosarm is the most clinically characterized SARM and shows significant promise as a novel therapy for cancer cachexia.
  • Enobosarm may become the first drug approved for preventing and treating muscle wasting in cancer patients.
  • Ongoing clinical trials are crucial for establishing SARMs as a viable treatment option for cancer-related muscle wasting.

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