Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 25, 2026
The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
Published on: November 30, 2016
Novel targeted therapies for cancer cachexia
Josep M Argilés1,2, Francisco Javier López-Soriano3,2, Britta Stemmler4
1Cancer Research Group, Departament de Bioquímica i Biomedicina Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Diagonal 643, Barcelona 08028, Spain jargiles@ub.edu.
Abstract:
Anorexia and metabolic alterations are the main components of the cachectic syndrome. Glucose intolerance, fat depletion, muscle protein catabolism and other alterations are involved in the development of cancer cachexia, a multi-organ syndrome. Nutritional approach strategies are not satisfactory in reversing the cachectic syndrome. The aim of the present review is to deal with the recent therapeutic targeted approaches that have been designed to fight and counteract wasting in cancer patients. Indeed, some promising targeted therapeutic approaches include ghrelin agonists, selective androgen receptor agonists, β-blockers and antimyostatin peptides. However, a multi-targeted approach seems absolutely essential to treat patients affected by cancer cachexia. This approach should not only involve combinations of drugs but also nutrition and an adequate program of physical exercise, factors that may lead to a synergy, essential to overcome the syndrome. This may efficiently reverse the metabolic changes described above and, at the same time, ameliorate the anorexia. Defining this therapeutic combination of drugs/nutrients/exercise is an exciting project that will stimulate many scientific efforts. Other aspects that will, no doubt, be very important for successful treatment of cancer wasting will be an optimized design of future clinical trials, together with a protocol for staging cancer patients in relation to their degree of cachexia. This will permit that nutritional/metabolic/pharmacological support can be started early in the course of the disease, before severe weight loss occurs. Indeed, timing is crucial and has to be taken very seriously when applying the therapeutic approach.
Insights
Cancer cachexia, characterized by anorexia and metabolic changes, requires multi-targeted therapies. Combining drugs, nutrition, and exercise offers a promising synergistic approach to combat cancer wasting effectively.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolism
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cancer cachexia is a complex multi-organ syndrome characterized by anorexia, glucose intolerance, fat depletion, and muscle protein catabolism.
- Current nutritional strategies are often insufficient to reverse the debilitating effects of cancer cachexia.
- Metabolic alterations are central to the cachectic syndrome, significantly impacting cancer patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent targeted therapeutic approaches for combating cancer-associated wasting.
- To highlight the necessity of a multi-targeted strategy for effective cancer cachexia treatment.
- To explore the synergistic potential of combining pharmacological agents, nutrition, and physical exercise.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on therapeutic interventions for cancer cachexia.
- Analysis of promising targeted approaches including ghrelin agonists, selective androgen receptor agonists, beta-blockers, and antimyostatin peptides.
- Discussion on the integration of drug therapy, nutritional support, and exercise programs.
Main Results:
- Promising targeted therapies such as ghrelin agonists and antimyostatin peptides show potential in counteracting wasting.
- A multi-targeted approach combining drugs, nutrition, and exercise is essential for synergistic effects.
- Early intervention and staging of cancer patients based on cachexia severity are crucial for treatment success.
Conclusions:
- A combination therapy including pharmacological agents, nutritional support, and physical exercise is vital for reversing cachexia-induced metabolic changes and anorexia.
- Optimized clinical trial design and patient staging are critical for advancing cancer cachexia treatment.
- Timely initiation of integrated support is paramount to prevent severe weight loss and improve patient outcomes.
More Related Videos
10:27Testing Targeted Therapies in Cancer using Structural DNA Alteration Analysis and Patient-Derived Xenografts
Published on: July 25, 2020
08:02Isolation of Primary Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts from a Syngeneic Murine Model of Breast Cancer for the Study of Targeted Nanoparticles
Published on: May 14, 2021
Related Concept Videos
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
02:49Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
01:30Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers