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Are lung cancer tumors hijacking the nervous system?

A new study by Thales Papagiannakopoulos and colleagues found that lung cancer tumors talk directly to the nervous system through sensory neurons in the lungs, promoting cachexia. Silencing these nerves or blocking the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) reduced cachexia, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 2, 2026

Cancer Cell publication details development of cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia

Cancer cell researchers at the University of Oklahoma have developed a novel 'triangle regulation theory' that explains the development of cancer-induced cachexia and anorexia. The theory reveals how cancer cells recruit immune cells to trigger excess production of growth factor 15, leading to muscle wasting and loss of appetite.

SourceUniversity of Oklahoma·JournalCancer Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2026

It’s not you—it’s cancer

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have identified a connection between the brain and immune system responsible for cachexia-related apathy. By targeting specific neurons and immune system proteins, they hope to improve cancer patients' quality of life and tolerance for treatments.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalScience·DateApr 10, 2025

Novel drug delivery platform paves way to potential new treatments for Alzheimer’s, other brain-related disorders

Researchers developed nanoparticles to deliver anti-inflammatory agents across the blood-brain barrier, opening new possibilities for treating Alzheimer's disease and other brain-related disorders. The delivery method successfully reduced inflammatory markers and improved food intake in mice with cancer cachexia.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2025

Boosting this molecule could help retain muscle while losing fat

A new study from the Salk Institute has discovered that a protein called BCL6 plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy muscle mass. Increasing BCL6 levels successfully reversed muscle losses in mice, suggesting that pairing GLP-1 medications with a BCL6-boosting drug could help counteract unwanted muscle loss.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2025

Cachexia decoded: Why diagnosis matters in cancer survival

A new study from Japan confirms that definitive criteria for lower cachexia prevalence rates are linked to reduced survival rates in cancer patients. The study found that the diagnostic criteria used for cachexia detection can affect reported prevalence and survival outcomes, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis.

SourceShinshu University·JournalAdvances in Nutrition·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 6, 2024

Gut microbiome and tumor cachexia: New Euro-pean research network

The 'MiCCrobioTAckle' project investigates the complex interactions between the gut microbiome and tumor cachexia to find ways of slowing down muscle breakdown. Twelve doctoral researchers from twelve countries will work together across Europe, gaining new insights into the relationship between the gut microbiome and cancer cachexia.

Red blood cell particles are effective drug carriers in suppressing muscle loss caused by cancer: NUS study

Researchers at NUS found that vesicles released by red blood cells can deliver RNA-based drugs to increase muscle growth and suppress cancer-associated skeletal muscle weakening. The study showed improved efficacy compared to traditional delivery methods without inducing toxicity or inflammatory reactions.

SourceNational University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2023

EMBARGOED: Targeting enzyme could alleviate muscle wasting for cancer patients

Researchers have identified a key enzyme in muscle that contributes to cancer-induced muscle wasting. Targeting this enzyme, UBR2, may help preserve muscle mass and function in cancer patients. The study's findings offer new hope for the treatment of cancer cachexia, a complication affecting 60% of all cancer patients.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 17, 2022

Are statin side effects all in the mind? International experts recommend ways to improve adherence to statin therapy

The International Lipid Expert Panel recommends a step-by-step approach to diagnosing and managing muscle symptoms caused by statins. The 'nocebo/drucebo' effect, where patients experience side effects due to expectation, affects up to 70% of diagnosed statin intolerance cases.

SourcePolskie Towarzystwo Lipidologiczne (Polish Lipid Association)·JournalJournal of Cachexia Sarcopenia and Muscle·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 10, 2022

When muscles inexorably shrink

Researchers found that iron supplementation can sustain muscle function, mass, and survival in mouse models of colon cancer. In humans, a small group experienced moderate strength improvement after iron injection, suggesting potential benefits for cachexia sufferers.

SourceEMBO·JournalEMBO Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 24, 2022

Cachexia: How do immune responses contribute to weight loss?

Cachexia is characterized by weight loss and muscle tissue shrinkage, driven by the immune system's response to chronic infections and diseases. Researchers from CeMM emphasize the need for more research into cachexia, highlighting the importance of interplay between the immune system and metabolism.

SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalNature Reviews Immunology·TypeLiterature review·DateOct 5, 2021

Drug used to control cholesterol found effective against cancer-associated cachexia

Researchers have discovered that atorvastatin, a drug typically used to control cholesterol, can also treat cachexia, a condition characterized by rapid weight loss and muscle atrophy. In mouse studies, treatment with atorvastatin attenuated adipose tissue remodeling, leading to rapid weight loss and muscle atrophy.

Cancer: Molecularly shutting down cancer cachexia

Researchers have identified AMPK as the central enzyme in cancer cachexia, a condition that results in weight loss due to metabolic complications. A peptide was developed to selectively reactivate AMPK, which has been shown to prevent increased fat breakdown and promote 'healthy' adipose tissue.

Low BMI and death after heart attack

A study published in PLOS Medicine found that low body mass index increases risk of mortality after acute myocardial infarction, even after controlling for other health factors. The researchers analyzed data from 57,574 elderly patients and found underweight patients had a 13-26% higher risk of death compared to normal weight patients.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateApr 19, 2016

Origin of cancer wasting identified in fruit flies

Two independent studies reveal that tumor-secreted molecule ImpL2 causes wasting syndrome, also known as cachexia, in fly cancer models. Researchers found that depletion of ImpL2 levels significantly reduced wasting in flies, suggesting new candidates for mediators of cachexia and novel therapeutic approaches.

SourceCell Press·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateApr 6, 2015