Review Article: Cytokines and Cancer Anorexia Cachexia Syndrome

Abstract

Cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome is frequent yet still a not well understood cancer-related problem. The pathophysiology of cancer cachexia is multifactorial. It is suggested to be the result of tumor-host interactions and studies of the disturbances seen during cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome, such as anorexia, hyper-metabolism, tissue wasting, metabolic abnormalities, and hormonal changes, all point to the involvement in one way or another of one key factor: cytokines. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest developments in the field of cytokines and their role in cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome. The emphasis is on the role of cytokines in anorexia and tissue wasting.

Assessment of Cytokine mRNA Expression Profiles in Tumor Microenvironment and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Patients with High-grade Serous Carcinoma of the Ovary

“…Tumor-associated chronic inflammation is not specific for ovarian cancer but is a constitutive feature in cancer per se [41,42]. Compelling evidence imply that the inflammatory cytokine response in ovarian cancer promotes tumorigenesis and influences the clinical disease status, progress and prognosis [43,44]. Most of the inflammatory cytokines included in our analysis, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 can be produced both by the ovarian tumor itself, supporting stromal cells and/or by activated tumor-infiltrating immune cells and all of these cell types participate in the molding of inflammation in the local tumor microenvironment [42][43][44].…”

Inflammation and ovarian cancer

“…The energy metabolism in cancer patients is affected by the presence, during the disease evolution, of symptoms such as anorexia, nausea and vomiting, which prevent a normal nutrition and thus a regular supply of glucose, lipids, proteins and vitamins. Antiblastic treatments and the same molecules (cytokines), which regulate both the tumour development and the immune system functions, are responsible for these symptoms (Bennani-Baiti & Davis, 2008). In this context, the finding that neoplastic patients in advanced stages show a severe impairment of immunologic functions characterized by impaired cell-mediated immunity and elevated serum levels of macrophage cytokines (IL-1, IL-6, TNF-a) and inflammation acute phase proteins (fibrinogen and CRP) is of great importance (Macciò et al, 1998).…”

Treatment of cancer cachexia in mice by combination of dsRNA-dependent protein kinase inhibitor and medroxyprogesterone acetate

“…Mice in the first four groups were injected s.c. in the anterior subaxilla with a homogenate of 50 mg (2-3 mm 3 ) of minced solid murine C-26 adenocarcinoma in 0.1 ml 0.9% NaCl (Day 1), as previously described (22). Day 12 was chosen for establishment of cachexia since by Day 12, the non-tumor weights of the tumor-bearing mice are significantly different from those of healthy mice, together with apparent cachexic signs and symptoms (poor physical activity, asthenia, piloerection, shedding, and non-glossy fur) (15,23).…”

“…Tumor volume (V, cm 3 ) was estimated from Day 5 onward using the formula V = ab 2 /2, where 'a' is length and 'b' is width. When the treatments were finished (Day 19), blood samples from anesthetized mice were collected from orbital veins by enucleation of the eyeball and subjected to centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 10 min.…”