title: Gut barrier dysfunction and microbial translocation in cancer cachexia: a new therapeutic target.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome characterized by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue loss and is frequently associated with emaciation, anorexia, systemic inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. Lack of a clear understanding of the cause of cancer cachexia has impeded progress in identifying effective therapeutic agents. This review summarizes recent publications on the role of gut barrier function, intestinal microbiota, and inflammation in the etiology of cancer cachexia and new therapeutic interventions that may benefit treatment strategies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant advances have been made in understanding the composition and metabolic capabilities of the intestinal microbiota and its impact on gut barrier function with implications for certain inflammatory-based diseases. Recent studies reported associations between intestinal permeability and endotoxemia with development of cancer cachexia and other metabolic disorders. Improvements in intestinal function and weight gain along with decreased inflammation have been reported for potential therapeutic agents such as eicosapentaenoic acid, immunoglobulin isolates, and probiotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Continued progress in the scientific understanding of the complex interplay between the intestinal microbiota, gut barrier function, and host inflammatory responses will uncover new therapeutic targets to help avoid the serious metabolic alterations associated with cachexia.
authors.affiliation: aEntera Health, Inc, Cary, North Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: Gerald L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.forename: Bryon W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Petschow
authors.forename: Audrey L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Weaver
mesh_terms: D002100:Cachexia / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid