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Is the pharmacological treatment of cancer cachexia possible?

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Abstract

Cancer cachexia is highly prevalent in patients with advanced cancer. Its main clinical manifestation is profound anorexia. Progestational drugs have shown meaningful effects on appetite, food intake, and nutritional status in patients with advanced cancer and AIDS, and could be useful in managing anorexia. Corticosteroids also seem to produce increased appetite, but these effects are short-lived. Cyproheptadine, hydrazine sulfate, and cannabinoids also are being studied in the management of cancer-induced anorexia, but their role has not yet been clearly established. Future research should evaluate how the different drugs affect specific symptoms associated with cachexia.

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  1. Palliative Care Program, Edmonton General Hospital, 11111 Jasper Avenue, T5K 0L4, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    Eduardo Bruera

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Bruera, E. Is the pharmacological treatment of cancer cachexia possible?. Support Care Cancer 1, 298–304 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00364967

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