• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2015

About 80% of all pancreatic cancer patients suffer from a wasting syndrome defined as the cancer cachexia characterized by abnormally low weight, weakness, and loss of skeletal muscle mass, which directly impacts physical activity, quality of life and overall survival. Over the past decades, we have gained new insights into the underlying mechanism of cachexia associated with pancreatic cancer. The aim of this review was to explore recent findings about cancer cachexia pathophysiology and describe the current pharmacologic approach. Pancreatic cancer cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome mediated by mechanical factors, inflammatory cytokines, neuropeptides, hormones and tumor-derived factors. The treatment of cancer cachexia remains controversial but is currently an active area of research. Several new targeted drugs are under investigation, and we hope to open a new prospect in the management of cancer cachexia in the future.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2017

Background: Cachexia is a multi-factorial syndrome presenting with chronic illness, decreases in body weight, and loss of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, mostly in patients with advanced cancer and chronic wasting disease. Even after years of intensive researches, there remains no convincing therapy to prevent cancer cachexia. Methods: In this in vivo study, we have established C26 adenocarcinoma-induced cancer cachexia model in mice to explore the underlying core changes in cytokine, signal transduction, and muscle wasting. The ultimate aim of establishing animal model is to find optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia. Results: We have administered C26 adenocarcinoma cells onto BALB/c mice and observed 4 weeks to assess the progression of cancer cachexia. Significant loss of weight accompanied with loss of appetite was noted. As C26 adenocarcinoma xenograft progressed, mortality was started from 3 weeks, accompanied with significant sarcopenia and decreased mice movement. Surges in TNF-α and IL-6 were noted with the commencement of cancer cachexia. Conclusion: Using C26 adenocarcinoma cancer cachexia model, we can screen the optimal therapeutics to mitigate cancer cachexia, in which agents to modulate IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB were essential.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 2011

Purpose: The study was aimed to review and understand the meaning of cancer cachexia. Methods: Using the keywords "cachexia" and "cancer cachexia" 30 oncology research published from 1974 to 2009 were selected for the review. Results: The mechanism of cancer cachexia has not been fully understood, but various pathogenesis appears to be involved in the development cachexia including altered metabolism of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein associated with cytokines and hormone. As a result, muscle strength, food intake and resting energy expenditure (REE) are reduced. Most medications for the treatment of cachexia show debating results except some drugs such as megace. Supportive care including nutritional education, nursing care, and social support are found another effective treatment options. Conclusion: The results of this study would help oncology nurses to understand the mechanism of cancer cachexia and its management.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.44-56
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• 2019

Despite the advances in medical technology, there are limited therapeutic interventions for cancer. Currently, the main goal of treatment is to remove a tumor completely. However, recent studies have shown that mortality is highly influenced by symptoms such as depression and cachexia, not solely by cancer itself. Depression is caused by psychological stress, and cachexia involves extreme weight loss with skeletal muscle atrophy, which are widely observed in patients with cancer. Although those two appear completely different from each other, they have a common etiology: cytokines. The production of cytokines can lead to depression and cachexia, and it contributes greatly to the increase in mortality rate. A better understanding of depression and cachexia in patients with cancer will help establish efficient treatment strategies.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.404-409
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• 2023

This study investigates the relationship between cancer cachexia and the gut microbiota, focusing on the influence of cancer on microbial composition. Lewis lung cancer cell allografts were used to induce cachexia in mice, and body and muscle weight changes were monitored. Fecal samples were collected for targeted metabolomic analysis for short chain fatty acids and microbiome analysis. The cachexia group exhibited lower alpha diversity and distinct beta diversity in gut microbiota, compared to the control group. Differential abundance analysis revealed higher Bifidobacterium and Romboutsia, but lower Streptococcus abundance in the cachexia group. Additionally, lower proportions of acetate and butyrate were observed in the cachexia group. The study observed that the impact of cancer cachexia on gut microbiota and their generated metabolites was significant, indicating a host-to-gut microbiota axis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.119-123
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• 2016

Thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine neoplasia, consists of four main types of carcinomas: papillary, follicular, and anaplastic, all with thyroid follicular origin, and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) related to para-follicular cells. Cronic diseases such as diverse cancers may be associated with cachexia, especially at advanced stage. Cancer-induced cachexia is associated with diminished quality of life, functional performance, reduced response to antitumor therapy, and increased morbidity and mortality. Myostatin (Mst) is one of the outstanding molecules in the skeletal muscle loss process in cancer and it may be released by both skeletal muscle and cachexia-inducing tumors. Recently changes in serum levels of Mst have been identified as an important factor of cancer-induced cachexia. The goal of this study was to assessserum Mst levels in MTC patients. In this descriptive and case-control study, 90 participants were selected, comprising 45 MTC patients (20 males, $29{\pm}13.9years$, 25 females, $29{\pm}14.5years$) and 45 control individuals (25 males, $23.1{\pm}11.6years$, 20 females, $31.5{\pm}14.4years$). Serum Mst was determined using an ELISA kit and body mass index (BMI) was calculated by weight and height measurements. The Kolmogorov Simonov test showed a normal distribution for log transformed Mst serum levels in both case and control groups. Geometric means were 5.9 and 8.2 ng/ml respectively, and a significant difference was found according to the independent t-test results (P<0.01). There was also a significant difference mean of Mst between females in control and MTC groups, but not for the males. Pearson correlation test showed no correlation between age and BMI with Mst serum levels. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that Mst serum levels may have a potential ability for early diagnosis of cachexia in MTC patients, especially in females.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2012

Purpose: Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome associated with wasting of skeletal muscle which contributes to nearly one-third of all cancer deaths. Cachexia lowers the frequency of response to chemotherapy and radiation and ultimately can impact survival as well as quality of life during treatment. NF-kappa B is one of the most important molecular mediators of cachexia. In this study, therefore, possible candidates for inhibitors of NF-kappa B were searched. Methods: Amino acids that regulate cellular redox potential by adjusting the level of NAD/NADH ratio, such as aspartate, pyruvate, and isocitrate were selected. Results: Pyruvate effectively inhibited luciferase activity in TNF-stimulated 293T cells transfect with an NF-kB dependent luciferase reporter vector. Pyruvate also showed protective effect on muscle atrophy of differentiated C2C12 myocyte induced by TNF/IFN. Conclusion: We might be able to develop the nutritional management strategy for cancer cachexia patients with pyruvate supplementation.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.181-191
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• 2010

Objetcives : Cancer cachexia is a common syndrome in advanced cancer patients, which is characterized by profound changes in protein, fat and carbohydrate metabolism, resulting in anorexia, weight loss, muscle wasting and poor performance status. We studied the journals of Chinese herb medicine about cancer cachexia and reported the results. Methods : This study attempted to analyze the contents of the research papers concerning the treatment of cancer cachexia presented in the journals of Chinese medicine published in China over the period between 2000 and 2009. Results & Conclusions : The principles for medical treatment were invigorating Ki(益氣), invigorating the spleen(健脾), regulating the stomach(和胃), nourishing the blood(養血), nourishing Eum(補陰), promoting the circulation of Ki(行氣), removing the phlegm(化痰), removing blood stasis(祛瘀) etc. The used herbs were Poria(茯笭), Astragali Radix(黃芪), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma(白朮), Codonopsis Pilosulae Radix(黨蔘), Dioscoreae Rhizoma(山藥), Citri Pericarpium(陳皮), Angelicae Gigantis Radix(當歸), Coicis Pemen(薏苡仁), Paeoniae Radix Alba(白芍藥) etc. The effetcive rate of treatment with Chinese herb medicine group was comparable or even more effetcive. Chinese herb medicine group had little side effetcs. Chinese medicine herb treatment to inhibit cancer cachexia has many possibilities.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.119-132
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to collect and analyze real world data to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of comprehensive traditional Korean Medicine treatment on quality of life, anorexia and cachexia of cancer patients. Methods: We analyzed medical records of 62 cancer patients admitted to O-I Dang Korean Medicine Hospital from February 2018 to February 2019. The primary outcome was a change score in the Anorexia/Cachexia Subscale of Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy (FAACT). The secondary outcomes were Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), Trial Outcome Index(TOI) of FAACT, 11 point Pain Intensity Numeric Rating Score (11 PI-NRS) and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and adverse event. Results: Cachexia and quality of life in cancer patients assessed by FAACT, increased by $5.59{\pm}14.83$ (p=0.004) after treatment. PI-NRS was reduced by $2.10{\pm}1.81$ (p<0.001) and TOI and FACT-G total scores were increased by $5.17{\pm}11.70$ (p=0.001) and $3.59{\pm}10.94$ (p=0.012), respectively. These results were also clinically meaningful assessed via minimal clinically important difference (MCID). There was no severe adverse event. Conclusion: These findings suggest that comprehensive traditional Korean Medicine treatment might be effective and safe strategy for improving quality of life, anorexia, cachexia and pain of cancer patients. Further advanced studies with controlled group and more participants with rigorous design are needed to ensure these findings.