Cancer Supportive Care > Cancer Cachexia
Cancer cachexia is a complex metabolic condition that leads to progressive weight loss and depletion of host reserves of adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. It should be suspected if involuntary weight loss of greater than five percent occurs within a six-month period.
Cachexia represents the clinical consequence of a chronic, systemic inflammatory response that results in the build up of liver proteins and the consequent depletion of essential amino acids. Evidence points to a strong association between cachexia and decreased overall survival in cancer patients. Cancer cachexia is a clear unmet need.
Currently there is no therapeutic agent approved for its treatment, although two classes of drug, the progestins and steroids, are commonly used off-label. Neither drug class however, is ideal as they mainly lead to temporary increases in body fat and water retention, rather than adding muscle mass. Acacia Pharma’s market research has indicated that the ideal profile of a drug to treat cancer cachexia is one that increases appetite leading to weight gain and importantly increases muscle mass and function, enabling patients to better withstand treatment and improve their quality of life.
What is Cancer Cachexia?
Cancer cachexia is among the most debilitating and life-threatening aspects of cancer. It is defined as a state of ill health, malnutrition and, physical wasting with loss of weight and muscle, as a consequence of cancer. Cachexia causes additional problems as the patient becomes more prone to infections and less able to withstand the toxic effects of cancer therapies. Up to 80% of advanced cancer patients may suffer with cachexia and it has been implicated as the cause of death in up to 20%.
Related Product Information
Acacia Pharma is developing APD209, an oral fixed dose combination of two well known marketed drugs, formoterol a β2-agonist and megestrol a progestin, for the new use of cancer cachexia. Selective β2-agonists have demonstrated significant positive effects on muscle mass and function, while progestins are known to increase body fat.