New biological cause of cancer wasting discovered

US scientists have identified a new process that plays a key role in cancer wasting, potentially opening up an avenue for developing new therapeutic approaches.

A team from the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center has discovered that tumours release factors into the bloodstream that inhibit the repair of damaged muscle fibres, leading to potentially life-threatening loss of body weight and lean muscle mass.

For decades, studies of cancer wasting – also known as cachexia – has been focused on mechanisms within skeletal muscle fibers, meaning the latest discovery could point to new strategies and drug targets.

Principal investigator Dr Denis Guttridge said: "Our study is the first to show proof of concept that events occurring outside the muscle fibre and within the muscle microenvironment also play a part in driving muscle wasting in cancer."

Cachexia is one of the most serious effects of cancer and is responsible for up to one-quarter of deaths caused by the disease.