Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha as a Treatment Target for the Cancer Anorexia/Weight Loss Syndrome.
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.
Jatoi
Aminah
A
Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Sideras
Kostandinos
K
Nguyen
Phuong L
PL