Cachexia

14,000,000 Leading Edge Experts on the ideXlab platform

Scan Science and Technology

Contact Leading Edge Experts & Companies

Scan Science and Technology

Contact Leading Edge Experts & Companies

The Experts below are selected from a list of 32781 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Vickie E Baracos - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Cancer Cachexia: Diagnosis, assessment, and treatment.
    Critical reviews in oncology hematology, 2018
    Co-Authors: Mohammadamin Sadeghi, Vickie E Baracos, Mahsa Keshavarz-fathi, Jann Arends, Maryam Mahmoudi, Nima Rezaei
    Abstract:

    Abstract Cancer Cachexia is a multi-factorial syndrome, which negatively affects quality of life, responsiveness to chemotherapy, and survival in advanced cancer patients. Our understanding of Cachexia has grown greatly in recent years and the roles of many tumor-derived and host-derived compounds have been elucidated as mediators of cancer Cachexia. However, cancer Cachexia remains an unmet medical need and attempts towards a standard treatment guideline have been unsuccessful. This review covers the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of cancer Cachexia; the elements impeding the formulation of a standard management guideline; and future directions of research for the improvement and standardization of current treatment procedures.

  • Cancer Cachexia: rationale for the MENAC (Multimodal—Exercise, Nutrition and Anti-inflammatory medication for Cachexia) trial
    BMJ supportive & palliative care, 2018
    Co-Authors: Tora Skeidsvoll Solheim, Barry Laird, Vickie E Baracos, Florian Strasser, Trude Rakel Balstad, Asta Bye, Guro Birgitte Stene, Gareth Griffiths, Matthew Maddocks, Marie Fallon
    Abstract:

    Cancer Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterised by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass that cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support alone. Cachexia has a high prevalence in cancer and a major impact on patient physical function, morbidity and mortality. Despite the consequences of Cachexia, there is no licensed treatment for Cachexia and no accepted standard of care. It has been argued that the multifactorial genesis of Cachexia lends itself to therapeutic targeting through a multimodal treatment. Following a successful phase II trial, a phase III randomised controlled trial of a multimodal Cachexia intervention is under way. Termed the MENAC trial (Multimodal—Exercise, Nutrition and Anti-inflammatory medication for Cachexia), this intervention is based on evidence to date and consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and eicosapentaenoic acid to reduce inflammation, a physical exercise programme using resistance and aerobic training to increase anabolism, as well as dietary counselling and oral nutritional supplements to promote energy and protein balance. Herein we describe the development of this trial. Trial registration number NCT02330926.

  • cancer Cachexia rationale for the menac multimodal exercise nutrition and anti inflammatory medication for Cachexia trial
    BMJ, 2018
    Co-Authors: Tora Skeidsvoll Solheim, Barry Laird, Vickie E Baracos, Florian Strasser, Trude Rakel Balstad, Asta Bye, Guro Birgitte Stene, Gareth Griffiths, Matthew Maddocks, Marie Fallon
    Abstract:

    Cancer Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterised by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass that cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support alone. Cachexia has a high prevalence in cancer and a major impact on patient physical function, morbidity and mortality. Despite the consequences of Cachexia, there is no licensed treatment for Cachexia and no accepted standard of care. It has been argued that the multifactorial genesis of Cachexia lends itself to therapeutic targeting through a multimodal treatment. Following a successful phase II trial, a phase III randomised controlled trial of a multimodal Cachexia intervention is under way. Termed the MENAC trial (Multimodal—Exercise, Nutrition and Anti-inflammatory medication for Cachexia), this intervention is based on evidence to date and consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and eicosapentaenoic acid to reduce inflammation, a physical exercise programme using resistance and aerobic training to increase anabolism, as well as dietary counselling and oral nutritional supplements to promote energy and protein balance. Herein we describe the development of this trial. Trial registration number NCT02330926.

  • Cancer-associated Cachexia.
    Nature reviews. Disease primers, 2018
    Co-Authors: Vickie E Baracos, Lisa W. Martin, Murray Korc, Denis C. Guttridge, Kenneth C. H. Fearon
    Abstract:

    Cancer-associated Cachexia is a disorder characterized by loss of body weight with specific losses of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Cachexia is driven by a variable combination of reduced food intake and metabolic changes, including elevated energy expenditure, excess catabolism and inflammation. Cachexia is highly associated with cancers of the pancreas, oesophagus, stomach, lung, liver and bowel; this group of malignancies is responsible for half of all cancer deaths worldwide. Cachexia involves diverse mediators derived from the cancer cells and cells within the tumour microenvironment, including inflammatory and immune cells. In addition, endocrine, metabolic and central nervous system perturbations combine with these mediators to elicit catabolic changes in skeletal and cardiac muscle and adipose tissue. At the tissue level, mechanisms include activation of inflammation, proteolysis, autophagy and lipolysis. Cachexia associates with a multitude of morbidities encompassing functional, metabolic and immune disorders as well as aggravated toxicity and complications of cancer therapy. Patients experience impaired quality of life, reduced physical, emotional and social well-being and increased use of healthcare resources. To date, no effective medical intervention completely reverses Cachexia and there are no approved drug therapies. Adequate nutritional support remains a mainstay of Cachexia therapy, whereas drugs that target overactivation of catabolic processes, cell injury and inflammation are currently under investigation.

  • Cancer Cachexia: Beyond Weight Loss.
    Journal of oncology practice, 2016
    Co-Authors: Andrew Bruggeman, Vickie E Baracos, Arif H. Kamal, Thomas W. Leblanc, Joseph D., Eric Roeland
    Abstract:

    Cancer Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by skeletal muscle loss leading to progressive functional impairment. Despite the ubiquity of Cachexia in clinical practice, prevention, early identification, and intervention remain challenging. The impact of cancer Cachexia on quality of life, treatment-related toxicity, physical function, and mortality are well established; however, establishing a clinically meaningful definition has proven challenging because of the focus on weight loss alone. Attempts to more comprehensively define Cachexia through body composition, physical functioning, and molecular biomarkers, while promising, are yet to be routinely incorporated into clinical practice. Pharmacologic agents that have not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration but that are currently used in cancer Cachexia (ie, megestrol, dronabinol) may improve weight but not outcomes of interest such as muscle mass, physical activity, or mortality. Their routine use is limited by adverse effects. For the practicing oncologist, early identification and management of Cachexia is critical. Oncologists must recognize Cachexia beyond weight loss alone, focusing instead on body composition and physical functioning. In fact, becoming emaciated is a late sign of Cachexia that characterizes its refractory stage. Given that Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome, it requires early identification and polymodal intervention, including optimal cancer therapy, symptom management, nutrition, exercise, and psychosocial support. Consequently, oncologists have a role in ensuring that these resources are available to their patients. In addition, in light of the promising investigational agents, it remains imperative to refer patients with Cachexia to clinical trials so that available options can be expanded to effectively treat this pervasive problem.

Stefan D Anker - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • prevalence and clinical impact of Cachexia in chronic illness in europe usa and japan facts and numbers update 2016
    Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2016
    Co-Authors: Stephan Von Haehling, Markus S Anker, Stefan D Anker
    Abstract:

    Cachexia is a serious clinical consequence of almost all chronic diseases when reaching advanced stages. Its prevalence ranges from 5–15% in end-stage chronic heart failure to 50–80% in advanced malignant cancer. Cachexia is also frequently occurring in patients with chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or neurological diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. Mortality rates of patients with Cachexia range from 15–25% per year in severe COPD through 20–40% per year in patients with chronic heart failure or chronic kidney disease to 20–80% in cancer Cachexia. In the industrialized world (North America, Europe, and Japan) where epidemiological data are to some degree available, the overall prevalence of Cachexia (due to any disease and not necessarily associated with hospital admission) is growing with the growth of the chronic illness prevalence, and it currently affects around 0.5–1.0% of the population, i.e. around 6–12 million people. From this, one can estimate that 1.5–2 million deaths are occurring in patients with Cachexia per year. It is also a very significant health problem in other parts of the globe, but epidemiological data are scarce. The multifactorial nature of Cachexia is now much better understood, and particularly, the role of inflammatory mediators and the imbalance of anabolism and catabolism are considered important therapeutic targets. Several approaches to develop Cachexia and muscle wasting treatments have failed to be successful in phase III clinical trials, but new approaches are in development. Given the high prevalence and very high mortality associated with Cachexia, advances are urgently needed for patients worldwide.

  • why Cachexia kills examining the causality of poor outcomes in wasting conditions
    Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2013
    Co-Authors: Stefan D Anker, Kamyar Kalantarzadeh, Connie M Rhee, John J Sim, Peter Stenvinkel, Csaba P Kovesdy
    Abstract:

    Weight loss is the hallmark of any progressive acute or chronic disease state. In its extreme form of significant lean body mass (including skeletal muscle) and fat loss, it is referred to as Cachexia. It has been known for millennia that muscle and fat wasting leads to poor outcomes including death. On one hand, conditions and risk factors that lead to Cachexia and inadequate nutrition may independently lead to increased mortality. Additionaly, Cachexia per se, withdrawal of nutritional support in progressive Cachexia, and advanced age may lead to death via Cachexia-specific pathways. Despite the strong and consistent association of Cachexia with mortality, no unifying mechanism has yet been suggested as to why wasting conditions are associated with an exceptionally high mortality risk. Hence, the causality of the Cachexia–death association, even though it is biologically plausible, is widely unknown. This century-long uncertainty may have played a role as to why the field of Cachexia treatment development has not shown major advances over the past decades. We suggest that Cachexia-associated relative thrombocytosis and platelet activation may play a causal role in Cachexia-related death, while other mechanisms may also contribute including arrhythmia-associated sudden deaths, endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, and immune system compromise leading to infectious events and deaths. Multidimensional research including examining biologically plausible models is urgently needed to investigate the causality of the Cachexia–death association.

  • Cachexia as a major public health problem frequent costly and deadly
    Journal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2013
    Co-Authors: Jerneja Farkas, Stefan D Anker, John E Morley, Stephan Von Haehling, Kamyar Kalantarzadeh, Mitja Lainscak
    Abstract:

    Perception of healthy body size and composition differs considerably across the globe, ethnic groups, cultures, and even inside medical community. Although the concept of ideal body weight has evolved over the past decades, the observation that weight loss can have more deleterious effects within a short-term period than weight gain has remained rather consistent. Weight loss, as a prelude to Cachexia, occurs frequently in a variety of disease states and meets the requirements of a global public health problem. Consequently, interventions to prevent and control chronic diseases require a comprehensive approach that targets a population as a whole and includes both prevention and treatment strategies. Around the globe, Cachexia awareness campaigns and expanding the current public health priorities to highlight the Cachexia magnitude and areas of interventions is necessary. Simultaneously, scientific efforts should provide us with more reliable estimates of body wasting and Cachexia as well as pathophysiology of Cachexia-associated death. As certain proportion of patients will, irrespective of preventive measures, eventually develop Cachexia, a quest for effective remedy remains vital.

  • Recent developments in the treatment of Cachexia: highlights from the 6th Cachexia Conference.
    Journal of cachexia sarcopenia and muscle, 2012
    Co-Authors: Nicole Ebner, Stefan D Anker, Claudia G. Werner, Wolfram Doehner, Stephan Von Haehling
    Abstract:

    The term Cachexia embraces a complex metabolic syndrome characterized by loss of body weight that may develop as a consequence of loss of muscle mass with or without loss of fat mass; bone mineral density may be affected as well [1]. Over the last 10 years, the Cachexia Conference has developed a forum for researchers from the fields of Cachexia and wasting disorders. It is unique in several ways as it provides a platform for both clinicians and basic researchers to meet and discuss pathways and potential therapeutic targets as well as recent evidence from clinical trials. The 6th Cachexia Conference was held in Milan, Italy, from 8 to 10 December 2012 with over 400 participants from more than 25 countries attending [2]. Cachexia remains underdiagnosed and undertreated, even though it is prevalent among many patients presenting with cancer, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, human immunodeficiency virus infection or chronic kidney disease. Creating awareness for Cachexia is one of the major aims of the Cachexia Conference as well as the improvement of patients' morbidity, mortality and quality of life. A more thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms and pathophysiology may help in achieving these aims. The identification of such mechanisms may help to identify therapeutic targets and potential biomarkers that help to detect loss of tissue as early as possible. Many excellent animal and clinical studies were presented at the meeting in Milan, and the following overview seeks to highlight some major research areas in the field of Cachexia and body wasting.

  • definition and classification of cancer Cachexia an international consensus
    Lancet Oncology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Kenneth C. H. Fearon, Stefan D Anker, Ingvar Bosaeus, Charles Lawrence Loprinzi, Eduardo Bruera, Florian Strasser, Aminah Jatoi, Neil Macdonald, Robin L Fainsinger, Giovanni Mantovani
    Abstract:

    Summary To develop a framework for the definition and classification of cancer Cachexia a panel of experts participated in a formal consensus process, including focus groups and two Delphi rounds. Cancer Cachexia was defined as a multifactorial syndrome defined by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass (with or without loss of fat mass) that cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support and leads to progressive functional impairment. Its pathophysiology is characterised by a negative protein and energy balance driven by a variable combination of reduced food intake and abnormal metabolism. The agreed diagnostic criterion for Cachexia was weight loss greater than 5%, or weight loss greater than 2% in individuals already showing depletion according to current bodyweight and height (body-mass index [BMI] 2 ) or skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia). An agreement was made that the Cachexia syndrome can develop progressively through various stages—preCachexia to Cachexia to refractory Cachexia. Severity can be classified according to degree of depletion of energy stores and body protein (BMI) in combination with degree of ongoing weight loss. Assessment for classification and clinical management should include the following domains: anorexia or reduced food intake, catabolic drive, muscle mass and strength, functional and psychosocial impairment. Consensus exists on a framework for the definition and classification of cancer Cachexia. After validation, this should aid clinical trial design, development of practice guidelines, and, eventually, routine clinical management.

Bruce M Spiegelman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • pth pthrp receptor mediates Cachexia in models of kidney failure and cancer
    Cell Metabolism, 2016
    Co-Authors: Serkan Kir, Hirotaka Komaba, Ana P Garcia, Konstantinos P Economopoulos, W Liu, Beate Lanske, Richard A Hodin, Bruce M Spiegelman
    Abstract:

    Cachexia is a wasting syndrome associated with elevated basal energy expenditure and loss of adipose and muscle tissues. It accompanies many chronic diseases including renal failure and cancer and is an important risk factor for mortality. Our recent work demonstrated that tumor-derived PTHrP drives adipose tissue browning and Cachexia. Here, we show that PTH is involved in stimulating a thermogenic gene program in 5/6 nephrectomized mice that suffer from Cachexia. Fat-specific knockout of PTHR blocked adipose browning and wasting. Surprisingly, loss of PTHR in fat tissue also preserved muscle mass and improved muscle strength. Similarly, PTHR knockout mice were resistant to Cachexia driven by tumors. Our results demonstrate that PTHrP and PTH mediate wasting through a common mechanism involving PTHR, and there exists an unexpected crosstalk mechanism between wasting of fat tissue and skeletal muscle. Targeting the PTH/PTHrP pathway may have therapeutic uses in humans with Cachexia.

  • tumour derived pth related protein triggers adipose tissue browning and cancer Cachexia
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Serkan Kir, Vickie E Baracos, James P White, Sandra Kleiner, Lawrence Kazak, Paul Cohen, Bruce M Spiegelman
    Abstract:

    Cachexia is a wasting disorder of adipose and skeletal muscle tissues that leads to profound weight loss and frailty. About half of all cancer patients suffer from Cachexia, which impairs quality of life, limits cancer therapy and decreases survival. One key characteristic of Cachexia is higher resting energy expenditure levels than in healthy individuals, which has been linked to greater thermogenesis by brown fat. How tumours induce brown fat activity is unknown. Here, using a Lewis lung carcinoma model of cancer Cachexia, we show that tumour-derived parathyroid-hormone-related protein (PTHrP) has an important role in wasting, through driving the expression of genes involved in thermogenesis in adipose tissues. Neutralization of PTHrP in tumour-bearing mice blocked adipose tissue browning and the loss of muscle mass and strength. Our results demonstrate that PTHrP mediates energy wasting in fat tissues and contributes to the broader aspects of cancer Cachexia. Thus, neutralization of PTHrP might hold promise for ameliorating cancer Cachexia and improving patient survival.

Serkan Kir - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • pth pthrp receptor mediates Cachexia in models of kidney failure and cancer
    Cell Metabolism, 2016
    Co-Authors: Serkan Kir, Hirotaka Komaba, Ana P Garcia, Konstantinos P Economopoulos, W Liu, Beate Lanske, Richard A Hodin, Bruce M Spiegelman
    Abstract:

    Cachexia is a wasting syndrome associated with elevated basal energy expenditure and loss of adipose and muscle tissues. It accompanies many chronic diseases including renal failure and cancer and is an important risk factor for mortality. Our recent work demonstrated that tumor-derived PTHrP drives adipose tissue browning and Cachexia. Here, we show that PTH is involved in stimulating a thermogenic gene program in 5/6 nephrectomized mice that suffer from Cachexia. Fat-specific knockout of PTHR blocked adipose browning and wasting. Surprisingly, loss of PTHR in fat tissue also preserved muscle mass and improved muscle strength. Similarly, PTHR knockout mice were resistant to Cachexia driven by tumors. Our results demonstrate that PTHrP and PTH mediate wasting through a common mechanism involving PTHR, and there exists an unexpected crosstalk mechanism between wasting of fat tissue and skeletal muscle. Targeting the PTH/PTHrP pathway may have therapeutic uses in humans with Cachexia.

  • tumour derived pth related protein triggers adipose tissue browning and cancer Cachexia
    Nature, 2014
    Co-Authors: Serkan Kir, Vickie E Baracos, James P White, Sandra Kleiner, Lawrence Kazak, Paul Cohen, Bruce M Spiegelman
    Abstract:

    Cachexia is a wasting disorder of adipose and skeletal muscle tissues that leads to profound weight loss and frailty. About half of all cancer patients suffer from Cachexia, which impairs quality of life, limits cancer therapy and decreases survival. One key characteristic of Cachexia is higher resting energy expenditure levels than in healthy individuals, which has been linked to greater thermogenesis by brown fat. How tumours induce brown fat activity is unknown. Here, using a Lewis lung carcinoma model of cancer Cachexia, we show that tumour-derived parathyroid-hormone-related protein (PTHrP) has an important role in wasting, through driving the expression of genes involved in thermogenesis in adipose tissues. Neutralization of PTHrP in tumour-bearing mice blocked adipose tissue browning and the loss of muscle mass and strength. Our results demonstrate that PTHrP mediates energy wasting in fat tissues and contributes to the broader aspects of cancer Cachexia. Thus, neutralization of PTHrP might hold promise for ameliorating cancer Cachexia and improving patient survival.

Kenneth C. H. Fearon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Cancer-associated Cachexia.
    Nature reviews. Disease primers, 2018
    Co-Authors: Vickie E Baracos, Lisa W. Martin, Murray Korc, Denis C. Guttridge, Kenneth C. H. Fearon
    Abstract:

    Cancer-associated Cachexia is a disorder characterized by loss of body weight with specific losses of skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. Cachexia is driven by a variable combination of reduced food intake and metabolic changes, including elevated energy expenditure, excess catabolism and inflammation. Cachexia is highly associated with cancers of the pancreas, oesophagus, stomach, lung, liver and bowel; this group of malignancies is responsible for half of all cancer deaths worldwide. Cachexia involves diverse mediators derived from the cancer cells and cells within the tumour microenvironment, including inflammatory and immune cells. In addition, endocrine, metabolic and central nervous system perturbations combine with these mediators to elicit catabolic changes in skeletal and cardiac muscle and adipose tissue. At the tissue level, mechanisms include activation of inflammation, proteolysis, autophagy and lipolysis. Cachexia associates with a multitude of morbidities encompassing functional, metabolic and immune disorders as well as aggravated toxicity and complications of cancer therapy. Patients experience impaired quality of life, reduced physical, emotional and social well-being and increased use of healthcare resources. To date, no effective medical intervention completely reverses Cachexia and there are no approved drug therapies. Adequate nutritional support remains a mainstay of Cachexia therapy, whereas drugs that target overactivation of catabolic processes, cell injury and inflammation are currently under investigation.

  • understanding the mechanisms and treatment options in cancer Cachexia
    Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Kenneth C. H. Fearon, Jann Arends, Vickie E Baracos
    Abstract:

    Cancer Cachexia is a metabolic syndrome that can be present even in the absence of weight loss ('preCachexia'). Cachexia is often compounded by pre-existing muscle loss, and is exacerbated by cancer therapy. Furthermore, Cachexia is frequently obscured by obesity, leading to under-diagnosis and excess mortality. Muscle wasting (the signal event in Cachexia) is associated not only with reduced quality of life, but also markedly increased toxicity from chemotherapy. Many of the primary events driving Cachexia are likely mediated via the central nervous system and include inflammation-related anorexia and hypoanabolism or hypercatabolism. Treatment of Cachexia should be initiated early. In addition to active management of secondary causes of anorexia (such as pain and nausea), therapy should target reduced food intake (nutritional support), inflammation-related metabolic change (anti-inflammatory drugs or nutrients) and reduced physical activity (resistance exercise). Advances in the understanding of the molecular biology of the brain, immune system and skeletal muscle have provided novel targets for the treatment of Cachexia. The combination of therapies into a standard multimodal package coupled with the development of novel therapeutics promises a new era in supportive oncology whereby quality of life and tolerance to cancer therapy could be improved considerably.

  • definition and classification of cancer Cachexia an international consensus
    Lancet Oncology, 2011
    Co-Authors: Kenneth C. H. Fearon, Stefan D Anker, Ingvar Bosaeus, Charles Lawrence Loprinzi, Eduardo Bruera, Florian Strasser, Aminah Jatoi, Neil Macdonald, Robin L Fainsinger, Giovanni Mantovani
    Abstract:

    Summary To develop a framework for the definition and classification of cancer Cachexia a panel of experts participated in a formal consensus process, including focus groups and two Delphi rounds. Cancer Cachexia was defined as a multifactorial syndrome defined by an ongoing loss of skeletal muscle mass (with or without loss of fat mass) that cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support and leads to progressive functional impairment. Its pathophysiology is characterised by a negative protein and energy balance driven by a variable combination of reduced food intake and abnormal metabolism. The agreed diagnostic criterion for Cachexia was weight loss greater than 5%, or weight loss greater than 2% in individuals already showing depletion according to current bodyweight and height (body-mass index [BMI] 2 ) or skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia). An agreement was made that the Cachexia syndrome can develop progressively through various stages—preCachexia to Cachexia to refractory Cachexia. Severity can be classified according to degree of depletion of energy stores and body protein (BMI) in combination with degree of ongoing weight loss. Assessment for classification and clinical management should include the following domains: anorexia or reduced food intake, catabolic drive, muscle mass and strength, functional and psychosocial impairment. Consensus exists on a framework for the definition and classification of cancer Cachexia. After validation, this should aid clinical trial design, development of practice guidelines, and, eventually, routine clinical management.

  • Cytokine gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to Cachexia.
    Current opinion in supportive and palliative care, 2010
    Co-Authors: Benjamin H.l. Tan, Kenneth C. H. Fearon
    Abstract:

    PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cachexia is a progressive deterioration of body habitus associated with chronic diseases. The finding that only a proportion of patients with chronic disease develop Cachexia has prompted studies looking for genetic polymorphisms that may underlie differential susceptibility. The aim of this review is to explore how inflammation and gene polymorphisms influence susceptibility to Cachexia. RECENT FINDINGS: There has been evidence that certain cytokine gene polymorphisms are associated with Cachexia. However, only the IL10 -1082 G allele, which is associated with an increased risk of developing Cachexia has been replicated in more than one study. Variation in genes outwith inflammation pathways (e.g. genes involved in protein metabolism) is also likely to contribute the susceptibility of developing Cachexia. The insertion/deletion angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphism has recently been linked with lower lean body mass in cancer patients with Cachexia. SUMMARY: Although there is an increasing body of evidence of genetic susceptibility to Cachexia, most studies so far have only focussed on a small number of polymorphisms and have small sample sizes. Large-scale candidate gene studies or genome-wide association studies are required to further elucidate the link between genotype and Cachexia.