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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
Epigenetics of cancer-associated muscle catabolism
Ryan M Carr1, Elisa Enriquez-Hesles1, Rachel Lo Olson1,2
1Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, MN, USA.
Abstract:
Cancer patients are commonly affected by cachexia, a wasting process involving muscle and fat. Specifically, loss of the muscle compartment has been associated with poor prognosis and suboptimal response to therapy. Nutritional support has been ineffective in treating this process leading to investigations into the underlying molecular processes governing muscle catabolism. In this commentary, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of cancer-associated muscle metabolism and the epigenetic processes responsible for the muscle wasting phenotype. Ultimately, we highlight how the epigenome may serve as a promising therapeutic target in reversing cancer-associated muscle catabolism.
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