Cancer-associated cachexia

Cancer-associated cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome defined by weight loss and skeletal muscle atrophy, causing decreased quality of life, reduced treatment tolerance, and increased mortality. Although approximately 30% of all cancer deaths are directly caused by cachexia, there is no reliable treatment. We recently demonstrated that an early metabolic rewiring in liver metabolism promoted by the innate immune system contributes to the manifestations of cancer-associated cachexia. Herein, we hypothesize that the liver-brain axis mediated is essential for cachexia development and progression. Thus, we propose that the CNS promotes cachexia by regulating liver metabolism; hence, neuromodulation may effectively deter cachectic progression and improve cancer patients' quality of life.