title: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha as a Treatment Target for the Cancer Anorexia/Weight Loss Syndrome.
abstract: The cancer-associated anorexia/weight loss syndrome occurs in > 50% of patients with advanced cancer. Associated with negative quality of life and diminished survival, this syndrome carries a devastating impact on patients with cancer. To date, efforts to manage this syndrome effectively have fallen short. However, recent data with therapy that targets the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) appear promising. This article discusses some of the preliminary data that suggest that further study of anti-TNF- alpha is warranted. It also describes the study design of an ongoing North Central Cancer Treatment Group trial that is aimed at treating this syndrome with the agent infliximab.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
authors.forename: Aminah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jatoi
authors.forename: Kostandinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sideras
authors.forename: Phuong L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Nguyen