The Incidence and Management of Cancer-Related Anorexia During Treatment with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors

Abstract

Cancer-related anorexia is a common complication and frequently occurs in cancer patients treated with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs). Anorexia contributes to malnutrition, body weight loss, and cachexia in affected patients. Furthermore, patients who experience anorexia have worse outcomes than those who maintain their appetite, highlighting the importance of managing anorexia and related symptoms. However, as the causes of anorexia are both diverse and interconnected, there have been challenges in evaluating and implementing effective interventions. In this review, we described the contributing factors to cancer-related anorexia and reviewed recent literature for the frequency of anorexia symptoms in patients treated with VEGFR-TKIs. Additionally, we evaluated the evidence for current interventions and the potential benefits of multimodal and multidisciplinary approaches to care. The frequency of anorexia symptoms in patients who received VEGFR-TKIs ranged from 14%–58% for all-grade anorexia and 0%–6% for grade 3 or 4 anorexia. While many of the interventions for cancer-related anorexia have minimal benefit or adverse events, recent advances in our understanding of cancer-related anorexia suggest that multimodal therapy with multidisciplinary care is a promising avenue of investigation. Several studies currently underway are anticipated to further assess the effectiveness of multimodal approaches.

Comparison of the pharmacokinetic characteristics and bioequivalence between two nanosuspension formulations of megestrol acetate in healthy Korean male subjects

“…The incidence of cachexia symptoms, including loss of appetite and weight loss, in cancer patients varies depending on the underlying disease. These symptoms have been reported in approximately 14% to 85% or more of patients [ 3 4 5 ]. Some studies have indicated that approximately 77% of cancer patients with appetite loss report experiencing distress associated with this symptom [ 6 ].…”