Olanzapine induced weight gain in patients with cancer-related cachexia

Most cancer patients suffer from loss of appetite, early satiety, and taste changes, which are the systemiceffect of cancer and lead to cancer-related anorexia. Cancer cachexia is characterized by the clinical presentationsof weight loss (corrected for fl uid retention) and lower quality of life (QOL). The pathophysiology of cachexia involvesthe decrease of anabolic hormones and an alteration of protein, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism. Olanzapine(OLN), an antipsychotic agent which blocks the 5-HT2, 5-HT3, D2 and H1 neurotransmitter receptor is used to treatseveral psychotic diseases with some reported side effects: sedation, weight gain, and positive metabolic effects.