Advances in mechanism and therapy of cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia is a common problem in advanced cancer and is a common cause of death in cancer, but the mechanism of cancer cachexia has not been well understood. Many cytokines, such as TNF α, IL 6,IL 1, IFN γ have been proposed as cachexia inducers. In addition, leukemia inhibitory factor and lipid mobilizing factor possibly plays an important role. At present there is no effective treatment for cancer cachexia. Eicosapentaenoic acid, IL 12 and 5′ deoxy 5 fluorouridine are possibly effective drugs to be used for anti cachexia treatment.