Promising treatments for muscle wasting in cancer: focus on microRNA

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cancer cachexia is characterized by a progressive loss of body weight and muscle mass, mainly caused by inflammation and anorexia/malnutrition that lead to energy wasting and muscle protein catabolism. These alterations represent the targets of several drugs and multimodal therapeutic approaches that are currently under clinical evaluation.

Areas covered: In this review, the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle wasting in cancer and the available treatments are discussed. Afterwards, a particular attention is given to recently discovered new potential targets, focusing mainly on microRNAs, that are emerging as new drivers in the complex scenario of muscle mass control.

Expert commentary: Moreover, microRNAs are dysregulated also in cancer, representing an attractive class of molecules for both fighting the tumor and managing cachexia.

KEYWORDS:

• Cachexia
• muscle wasting
• clinical trials
• exercise
• myogenesis
• fat browning
• microRNA
• miRNA
• miR

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.