Dr Tora Solheim

Presentation Roadmap/ Summary

No new pharmacological interventions have been approved for more than a decade, but several promising drugs are in the pipeline. There is an increasing argument for the necessity of multimodal intervention, targeting nutrition and exercise in addition to pharmacological interventions. In this lecture pharmacological interventions to target cachexia are described.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant will be able to:

1. Understand the application field of appetite stimulants in cancer cachexia
2. Know the available pharmacological interventions in the field
3. Know some of the promising pharmacological interventions in pipeline

Key Takeaways/ Fast Facts

• Cachexia pathophysiology can be targeted through appetite stimulants, anti-inflammatory treatment, anabolic treatments or measures targeting metabolism.
• Pharmacological interventions can be part of a nutrition therapy.

Key references

1. Arends J, Bachmann P, Baracos V. ESPEN guidelines on nutrition in cancer patients. Clin Nutr. 2017 Feb
2. Aversa Z, Costelli P, Muscaritoli M. Cancer induced muscle wasting: latest findings in prevention and treatment. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2017; 9:369-382.
3. Temel JS, Abernethy AP, Currow DC. Anamorelin in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer and cachexia (ROMANA 1 and ROMANA 2): results from two randomised, double-blind, phase 3 trials. Lancet Oncol. 2016 Apr;17(4):
4. Solheim TS, Laird BJA, Balstad TR, et al. Cancer cachexia: rationale for the MENAC (Multimodal-Exercise, Nutrition and Anti-Inflammatory medication for Cachexia) trial. BMJ Support Palliat Care 2018; 8:258-265.