Cancer cachexia is a late-stage metabolic syndrome that affects 80% of cancer patients and is the direct cause of death in 20%. The manifestations of cancer cachexia are weight loss, and muscle and tissue wasting. Consequently, patients are debilitated, depressed, and dependent. Unfortunately, once cachexia ensues, it does not respond to diet or any other treatment regimen.
We found that cachexia starts early during carcinogenesis, and that identifying patients at risk and starting the treatment early could be beneficial in preventing further deterioration. Thus, identifying the direct and indirect regulators of the early metabolic changes that lead to cachexia holds promise for restricting or preventing its development.