BACKGROUND: Cancer cachexia is the wasting condition that is often seen in advanced stage cancer patients. This wasting is largely attributable to a systemic and progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass that greatly hinders performance of normal daily activities, resulting in reduced quality of life. Moreover, it negatively influences the prognosis of cancer patients. A general consensus in the field is that the loss of muscle mass is due both to an increase in protein degradation and a decrease in protein synthesis. Recent studies using preclinical models for studying cachexia have been useful in identifying the contribution of inflammatory cytokines (e.g. tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-6), and myostatin receptors (e.g. the type IIB activin receptor) to cachexia development, and have led to several clinical trials. However, many questions remain about the molecular mechanisms thought to play a role in the development of cachexia.

METHODS: We conducted a literature search using search engines, such as PubMed and Google Scholar to identify publications within the cancer cachexia field.

RESULTS: We summarized our current knowledge of: 1) the driving mechanisms of cancer cachexia, 2) the preclinical models available for studying the condition, and 3) the findings of recent clinical trials.

CONCLUSION: Cancer cachexia is a complex and variable condition that currently has no standard effective therapeutic treatment. Further studies are desperately needed to better understand this condition and develop effective combination treatments for patients.