Cachexia is a common complication of cancer. The condition, which affects more than 50% of people with cancer, involves a loss of appetite and weighta muscle atrophyof the fatigue and a large weakness. There is currently no treatment approved by health agencies.
The study a randomized phase II clinical trial, carried out on 187 patients suffering from cachexia, with lung, pancreatic or colorectal cancer, demonstrates that a drug, ponsegromab, which blocks a hormone known as GDF- 15, helps regulate appetite and body weight in this group of patients.
- Patients in the trial had high levels of GDF-15, one of the main drivers of cachexia;
- ponsegromab, a monoclonal antibody, helps improve many aspects of cachexia and reduce its symptoms;
- only minimal side effects were observed in these participants with ponsegromab treatment;
- finally, the drug appears safer than other appetite stimulants more commonly used for patients with cachexia.
The trial was supported by Pfizer, the manufacturer of ponsegromab.
Researchers continue to study GDF-15 and the importance of this biomarker in several types of cancer and associated cachexia.
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