scholarly journals Biomarkers for Cancer Cachexia: A Mini Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4501
Author(s):  
Zhipeng Cao ◽  
Kening Zhao ◽  
Irvin Jose ◽  
Nick J. Hoogenraad ◽  
Laura D. Osellame
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Muscle Function ◽  
Cancer Cachexia ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Common Condition ◽  
Potential Biomarkers

Cancer cachexia is a common condition in many cancer patients, particularly those with advanced disease. Cancer cachexia patients are generally less tolerant to chemotherapies and radiotherapies, largely limiting their treatment options. While the search for treatments of this condition are ongoing, standards for the efficacy of treatments have yet to be developed. Current diagnostic criteria for cancer cachexia are primarily based on loss of body mass and muscle function. However, these criteria are rather limiting, and in time, when weight loss is noticeable, it may be too late for treatment. Consequently, biomarkers for cancer cachexia would be valuable adjuncts to current diagnostic criteria, and for assessing potential treatments. Using high throughput methods such as “omics approaches”, a plethora of potential biomarkers have been identified. This article reviews and summarizes current studies of biomarkers for cancer cachexia.

scholarly journals Malnutrition and cancer, diagnosis and treatment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelika Beirer
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Cachexia ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Psychological Treatment ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Nutritional Therapy ◽  
German Society ◽  
Fat Free Mass ◽  
Nutritional Risk

Summary Background The prevalence of malnutrition in cancer patients ranges from about 20% to more than 70%. However, 10–20% of cancer patients’ deaths are related to malnutrition, not the malignancy itself. To reverse the pattern of weight loss, improve the patients’ quality of life, reduce the treatment toxicity, the psychological stress and the risk of mortality, the diagnosis of malnutrition should be made as early as possible to facilitate the best possible treatment. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted following guidelines of ESPEN (European Society for Clinical Nutrition), DGEM (German Society for Nutritional Medicine) and ASPEN (American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition). Results and conclusion To assess the risk of malnutrition, all cancer patients should be screened regularly with a valid screening tool (e.g., MUST [Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool], NRS [Nutritional Risk Screening] or PG-SGA [Scored Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment]). If risk of malnutrition is present, adequate nutritional therapy is recommended to stop involuntary weight loss. Patients should engage in exercise to maintain and improve muscle mass, strength and function. They should be offered regular dietetic counselling, and their muscle depletion should be monitored by determining fat-free mass. As cachectic patients in particular are at risk, the presence of cachexia should also be recognized at an early stage. Three consensus-based definitions are widely accepted: Fearon et al. and the EPCRC (European Palliative Care Research Collaborative) propose definitions specifically for cancer cachexia, while Evans et al. put forward a definition for cachexia associated with all types of underlying chronic diseases. However, if there is a cancer cachexia diagnosis, additional pharmacological and psychological treatment should be considered.

Cancer- and Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 536 ◽  
Author(s):  
_ _
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Red Blood Cell Transfusion ◽  
Common Condition ◽  
Packed Red Blood Cells ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Parenteral Iron ◽  
Recent Version ◽  
Care Measure

Anemia is a common condition in patients with cancer, and its correction through either transfusion with packed red blood cells or the administration of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) is a supportive care measure. The purpose of the guidelines is to operationalize the evaluation and treatment of anemia in cancer patients and to enable patients and clinicians to evaluate treatment options in the context of risks and benefits. The updated guidelines include a number of important changes that respond to new FDA recommendations limiting the use of ESAs in cancer patients. Updates also include new tables on the risks and benefits of ESAs versus red blood cell transfusion and recommendations for administering parenteral iron products. For the most recent version of the guidelines, please visit NCCN.org

scholarly journals Plasma ceramides as a sexually dimorphic biomarker of pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffery M. Chakedis ◽  
Mary E. Dillhoff ◽  
Carl R. Schmidt ◽  
Priyani V. Rajasekera ◽  
David C. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
National Cancer Institute ◽  
Cancer Cachexia ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Cancer Society ◽  
Increased Risk

AbstractBackgroundCancer patients who lose weight have low treatment tolerance and poor outcomes compared to cancer patients without weight loss, termed cachexia. Despite the clear increased risk for patients, diagnosing cachexia still primarily relies on self-reported weight loss. A reliable biomarker to identify patients with cancer cachexia would be a valuable tool to improve clinical decision making and identification of patients at risk of adverse outcomes.MethodsTargeted metabolomics, including panels of amino acids, tricarboxylic acids, fatty acids, acylcarnitines, and sphingolipids, were conducted on plasma samples from patients with confirmed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with and without cachexia and control patients without cancer. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was undertaken to establish if any metabolite could effectively serve as a biomarker of cachexia.ResultsTargeted profiling revealed that cachectic patients had decreased circulating levels of three sphingolipids compared to either non-cachectic PDAC patients or patients without cancer. The ratio of C18-ceramide to C24-ceramide (C18:C24) outperformed a number of other previously proposed biomarkers of cachexia (area under ROC = 0.810). It was notable that some biomarkers, including C18:C24, were only elevated in cachectic males.ConclusionOur findings identify C18:C24 as a potentially new biomarker of PDAC-induced cachexia that also highlight a previously unappreciated sexual dimorphism in cancer cachexia.Trial registrationNone.FundingSupport was provided through a pilot grant from U24DK100469 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (The Mayo Clinic), National Cancer Institute P30CA016058 (The Ohio State University), National Cancer Institute R01CA180057 (DCG), American Cancer Society PF-15-156-01-CSM (EET), and a Weiss Postdoctoral Fellowship (EET).

scholarly journals Awareness and attitude of Saudi cancer patients toward participation in clinical research

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Nagham Sheblaq ◽  
Marwan ElBagoury ◽  
Ahmed M. Elagouz ◽  
Maryam Kotb
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Research ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Disease ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Institutional Review ◽  
Medical City

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Public awareness about the importance of clinical research (CR) is crucial for patient’s participation in clinical trials. Their enrollment may be impacted by their levels of awareness and attitudes toward participation. Our study aimed to assess the Saudi cancer patient’s knowledge and perception about CR, and determine the influencing factors and barriers affecting participation.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A cross-sectional study was conducted in 300 cancer patients attending the Oncology Department at King AbdulAziz Medical City (KAMC) Riyadh between February 2011 and February 2012 using a survey covering the demographic data, knowledge of clinical research, and attitude toward participation; followed by statistical analysis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 300 patients were enrolled in the study with a median age of 53.6 (42.2-64.01); 62.67% of which were females. The majority of patients (97.31%) were not aware of Institutional Review Board (IRB). However, (75.33%) showed interest in CR participation, if offered. The advanced disease (86.67%), and the lack of other treatment options (85.33%) were the top two encouraging factors, while fear of adverse side effects (58.33%), and the unknown efficacy of treatment (58.32%) were the top two barriers against participation. Respondents younger than 45 years, and educated ones were significantly more interested in participation in CR with P values P=0.0136 and P=0.0239 respectively.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is an apparent gap in cancer patient’s awareness about CR. However, there is an obvious interest in participation in CR especially in younger and educated patients. Enhancing public awareness is crucial to improve participation in CR.</p>

Diet-Induced Thermogenesis in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer Cachexia

1989 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. T. Weston ◽  
R. F. G. J. King ◽  
A. W. Goode ◽  
N. S. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Cachexia ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disease ◽  
Dietary Assessment ◽  
Resting Energy Expenditure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Diet Induced Thermogenesis ◽  
Daily Intakes

1. Indirect calorimetry has been used to measure resting energy expenditure (REE) and the thermogenic response to a test meal (diet-induced thermogenesis) in groups of weight-stable and weight-losing patients with gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma. Average daily intakes of energy and protein were computed from dietary assessment for the week before hospitalization. Results were compared with a control group of patients with benign gastrointestinal disease. 2. Weight-losing cancer patients had a significantly reduced mean total energy and protein intake. 3. There was no significant difference in REE between the groups when results were normalized in terms of metabolic body size (kJ/kg 0.75) and lean body mass (kJ/kg). 4. Diet-induced thermogenesis was reduced in weight-losing cancer patients. 5. It is suggested that the reduction of diet-induced thermogenesis in weight-losing cancer patients is another element of starvation adaptation, subsequent to their weight loss, and that altered thermogenesis does not contribute to the weight loss seen in cancer cachexia.

scholarly journals Shedding new light on cancer management - a renewed focus on cancer cachexia

2019 ◽  
pp. 01-07
Author(s):  
Ling Hui Claytor
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Cachexia ◽  
Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group ◽  
Oncology Group ◽  
Cancer Management ◽  
The Past ◽  
At Risk Populations ◽  
Upper Gastrointestinal ◽  
Landmark Study

Malnutrition in cancer patients has been well documented and studied for the past 40 years [1]. In the landmark study by Dewys and colleagues involving over 3000 patients enrolled in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) chemotherapy trials, moderate-to-severe weight loss was reported in 30–70% of cancer patients, with the greatest incidence found in those with solid tumors along the upper gastrointestinal tract and in the lungs [2]. Decades later, in a 2009 study by Bozzetti et al. analyzing the nutritional status of 1000 outpatients, 40% of cancer patients were observed to have lost over 10% of their body weight [3]. Cancer patients were one of the most nutritionally at-risk populations compared with other hospitalized patients [4] (Figure 1).

A Study of Thyroid Function in Cancer Cachexia

1989 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Tancini ◽  
Sandro Barni ◽  
Sergio Crispino ◽  
Franco Paolorossi ◽  
Paolo Lissoni
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Cachexia ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Oncologic Patients ◽  
Pituitary Thyroid Axis ◽  
Thyroid Axis ◽  
Low Levels

The mechanisms responsible for cancer cachexia have not yet been clarified. To further investigate the role played by the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in cancer cachexia, we evaluated serum levels of T3, FT3, T4, FT4, TSH and TBG in a group of 26 cancer patients, 14 of whom showed cachexia, whereas the other 12 had a body weight within the normal range despite their advanced diseases. As controls, 58 healthy subjects and 11 patients with benign weight loss were included in the study. Low levels of both T3 and FT3 were observed in all patients with benign weight loss and in 9/12 advanced cancer patients who had no cancer cachexia. On the contrary, only 4/14 cachectic cancer patients presented decreased values of T3 and FT3. Moreover, the mean serum levels of T3 and FT3 in cachectic oncologic patients were significantly higher than those seen both in non-cachectic cancer patients and in patients with benign weight loss. Since T3 is the biologically active thyroid hormone, the lack of a decrease in its production might play a role in the pathogenesis of cancer cachexia.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Cancer Cachexia

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 646-654
Author(s):  
Xiaoling Zhong ◽  
Teresa A. Zimmers
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Cachexia ◽  
Muscle Wasting ◽  
Fiber Type ◽  
Global Gene Expression ◽  
Skeletal Muscle Wasting ◽  
Progressive Weight Loss ◽  
And Function

Abstract Purpose of Review Cachexia, a feature of cancer and other chronic diseases, is marked by progressive weight loss and skeletal muscle wasting. This review aims to highlight the sex differences in manifestations of cancer cachexia in patients, rodent models, and our current understanding of the potential mechanisms accounting for these differences. Recent Findings Male cancer patients generally have higher prevalence of cachexia, greater weight loss or muscle wasting, and worse outcomes compared with female cancer patients. Knowledge is increasing about sex differences in muscle fiber type and function, mitochondrial metabolism, global gene expression and signaling pathways, and regulatory mechanisms at the levels of sex chromosomes vs. sex hormones; however, it is largely undetermined how such sex differences directly affect the susceptibility to stressors leading to muscle wasting in cancer cachexia. Summary Few studies have investigated basic mechanisms underlying sex differences in cancer cachexia. A better understanding of sex differences would improve cachexia treatment in both sexes.

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