Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
08:55
The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
Published on: November 30, 2016
Body-composition changes in patients who gain weight while receiving megestrol acetate
C L Loprinzi1, D J Schaid, A M Dose
1Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
Summary
Megestrol acetate, used for anorexia and cachexia, primarily increases body mass, not just fluid. This weight gain is mainly due to increased adipose tissue in cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Metabolic Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Clinical trials confirm megestrol acetate stimulates appetite and weight gain in cachectic patients.
- Limited data exists on the composition of megestrol acetate-induced weight gain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the body composition changes responsible for weight gain in patients treated with megestrol acetate.
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and tritiated body water measurements were used.
- Body composition was assessed in 12 advanced cancer patients before and during megestrol acetate treatment (800 mg/d).
Main Results:
- Seven patients experienced significant weight gain (2.1–16.5 kg).
- The majority of weight gain was attributed to an increase in adipose tissue.
- A smaller contribution from increased body fluid was also observed.
Conclusions:
- Megestrol acetate-induced weight gain in cancer patients is predominantly due to an increase in body mass, specifically adipose tissue.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:20Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
01:24Obesity
The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
01:21Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
In the United States, obesity is a prominent concern. It is linked to heightened mortality rates due to increased occurrences of conditions such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and diabetes compared to nonobese individuals. A patient is classified as obese if their actual body weight surpasses the ideal or desirable body weight by 20%, based on Metropolitan Life Insurance Company data. Ideal body weights consider average weights and heights for males and females...
01:25Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Obesity significantly alters the pharmacokinetic processes of drug absorption and distribution, presenting unique challenges in medical treatment. The increased fat tissue and decreased lean muscle in obese individuals can significantly affect how drugs are absorbed into the body and distributed across different tissues. This alteration can lead to variances in the effectiveness and safety of medications, necessitating adjustments in dosing or drug selection for obese patients.One notable...
01:20Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...