Systematic Review of the Treatment of Cancer-associated Anorexia and Weight Loss

Overview

Journal J Clin Oncol

Specialty Oncology

Date 2005 Nov 19

PMID 16293879

Citations 46

Authors

Tugba Yavuzsen

Mellar P Davis

Declan Walsh

Susan LeGrand

Ruth Lagman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: We systematically assessed the efficacy and safety of appetite stimulants in the management of cancer-related anorexia. Literature databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of appetite stimulants in the treatment of cancer anorexia.

Materials And Methods: Studies were graded according to quality. Fifty-five studies met inclusion criteria.

Results: Only two drugs have evidence to support their use for anorexia (progestins and corticosteroids). There is strong evidence against the use of hydrazine sulfate. The outcomes of these trials have been mixed and patient population heterogeneous.

Conclusion: The optimal dose, time to start, and duration of treatment for many appetite stimulants for cancer anorexia is still unknown. A more systematic approach to research methodology with universal outcome measure and prospective randomized studies are need. Combination regimens are needed but this cannot at the present time be supported by the data presented.

Citing Articles

Mechanisms and pharmacotherapy of cancer cachexia-associated anorexia.

Sato R, da Fonseca G, das Neves W, von Haehling S Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2025; 13(1):e70031.

PMID: 39776294 PMC: 11707257. DOI: 10.1002/prp2.70031.

Association between Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment Outcomes and Body Composition Factors in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Takei K, Kijima T, Okubo N, Kurashina R, Kokubun H, Uematsu T Cancers (Basel). 2023; 15(23).

PMID: 38067295 PMC: 10705346. DOI: 10.3390/cancers15235591.

Exploring the implications of modified advanced lung cancer inflammation index on outcomes in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Mahajan A, Goyal D, Agarwal U, Patil V, Shukla S, Noronha V Explor Target Antitumor Ther. 2023; 4(5):896-911.

PMID: 37970209 PMC: 10645468. DOI: 10.37349/etat.2023.00172.

The efficacy and safety of anamorelin for patients with cancer-related anorexia/cachexia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Taniguchi J, Mikura S, Lopes K Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1):15257.

PMID: 37709824 PMC: 10502008. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42446-x.

Understanding Cancer Cachexia and Its Implications in Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers.

Brown L, Laird B, Wigmore S, Skipworth R Curr Treat Options Oncol. 2022; 23(12):1732-1747.

PMID: 36269458 PMC: 9768000. DOI: 10.1007/s11864-022-01028-1.