Biomarkers for cancer cachexia: is there also a genetic component to cachexia?

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer cachexia is a severe debilitating disorder, which causes significant morbidity and mortality. In clinical practice, cachexia is often not treated until a late stage, when therapeutic options are limited.

Objective: It is therefore of great interest to analyse early biomarkers of this syndrome.

Conclusion: In this review article, we summarise recent biomarkers found in various body compartments. We also explore the likelihood of a genetic predisposition to cachexia and focus on the potential role of single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes coding for pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and 'atrogenes' associated with wasting in skeletal muscle.