Meeting the Amino Acid Requirements for Protein Anabolism in Cancer Cachexia

Abstract

A large fraction of patients with advanced cancer develop cachexia [1], a wasting syndrome characterised by anorexia, asthenia, and profound losses of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle mass. The association of cachexia syndrome with poor prognosis, loss of functional status and poor quality of life has motivated researchers to develop therapeutic strategies for this problem [2].