Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

15 p.

Publication Date

7-2003

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Source Publication

Biological Research for Nursing

Source ISSN

1099-8004

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1177/1099800403005001001

Abstract

Cancer cachexia is a poorly understood syndrome of anorexia, weight loss, and muscle wasting that negatively impacts quality of life and survival in cancer patients. Research has clearly implicated proinflammatory cytokines in the biology of cancer cachexia. More recent research implicates products of arachidonic acid and suggests that cachexia may be a chronic inflammatory condition rather than a nutritional aberration. To date, nutritional support to slow weight loss has focused primarily on increasing calorie intake. Alternatively, many foods contain factors that can modulate the synthesis or activity of proinflammatory mediators, especially the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 from arachidonic acid. These factors and foods are sometimes called nutraceuticals, and research is needed to evaluate their efficacy in combating cancer cachexia.

Comments

Published version. Biological Research for Nursing, Vol. 5, No. 1 (July 2003): 3-17. DOI. © 2003 SAGE Publications. Used with permission.

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