title: Anti-cytokine strategies for the treatment of cancer-related anorexia and cachexia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cachexia is a syndrome characterized by body weight loss and metabolic abnormalities. It is a frequent feature of patients affected by chronic pathologies, including cancer. Neoplastic patients with cachexia show increased morbidity and mortality rates, benefit less from antineoplastic therapies, and have a poorer quality of life. Among the general mechanisms proposed to account for cachexia, anorexia and altered homeostasis of hormones and cytokines appear to play a major role.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present review will focus on anti-inflammatory drugs useful for the treatment of cancer-related anorexia and cachexia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Molecules able to block cytokine production or biological activity are currently under evaluation. At present, none of them has been authorized for the clinical treatment of cancer-related anorexia and cachexia, since the few published clinical trials lead to contrasting results, and others are still pending.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the multifactorial pathogenesis of cancer-related anorexia and cachexia, combination protocols are probably the better choice. In this regard, anti-cytokine strategies should be pursued and included in the treatment of neoplastic patients, although cytokines modulate a number of processes.
authors.affiliation: University of Turin, Department of Experimental Medicine and Oncology, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Penna
authors.forename: Valerio G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Minero
authors.forename: Domiziana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Costamagna
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonelli
authors.forename: Francesco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Baccino
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Costelli
mesh_terms: D000855:Anorexia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002100:Cachexia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators