title: Cancer cachexia, recent advances, and future directions.
abstract: Cancer cachexia is defined as a multifactorial syndrome characterized by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass with or without loss of fat mass. The syndrome cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support, and despite an increased number of studies related to cancer cachexia, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly defined, and therapeutic options are limited. This review focuses on recent studies investigating mechanisms and pathways in cancer cachexia. The role of molecular and functional imaging in identifying cachexia at an earlier stage, in identifying potential metabolic targets and pathways, and in assessing treatment efficacy is also reviewed.
authors: From the *Johns Hopkins University ICMIC Program, Division of Cancer Imaging Research, Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, and †Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.
authors: Marie-France
authors: MF
authors: Penet
authors: Zaver M
authors: ZM
authors: Bhujwalla
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002100:Cachexia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy