title: Cancer cachexia therapy: a key weapon in the fight against cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cachexia affects millions of cancer patients around the world. Though its causes are poorly understood, its devastating impact on the patient and their loved ones underscore the urgency of this unmet medical need. Recent research efforts suggest multiple body systems are dysregulated in cachexia, not only increasing the challenge in effectively treating the disease but also expanding the opportunities for intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Agents as diverse as anti-inflammatory monoclonal antibodies and novel anabolic small molecules are under clinical evaluation for their ability to prevent and treat wasting. The therapies evaluated to date range in their ability to improve appetite, mitigate weight loss and reverse undesirable changes in body composition and physical function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An increased understanding of cancer cachexia, both mechanistically and its impact on cancer patients' struggle with their disease, has resulted in diverse therapeutic concepts. Recent clinical efforts demonstrate progress with novel therapies but fall short of effectively treating most cachectic patients and highlight a clear need for further research. Given the inherent heterogeneity of cancer patients and the significant impact of muscle wasting on morbidity and mortality, continued research efforts are critical in developing effective therapies to prevent and treat cancer cachexia.
authors.affiliation: Preclinical Research and Development, GTx Inc., Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Coss
authors.forename: Casey E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Bohl
authors.forename: James T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Dalton
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001066:Appetite; D001823:Body Composition; D002100:Cachexia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal