Abstract
Cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome that determines a severe body weight loss characterized by a marked reduction in muscle mass. About 80% of patients with advanced cancer develop cachexia due to both the tumor itself and cancer treatment (radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy), which is associated to a worse prognosis. Despite its clinical relevance, this syndrome is still under-diagnosed and it lacks effective treatments. Radio-chemotherapy treatment is essential in patients with advanced head and neck cancers (HNSCC). Although this treatment has improved patients’ life expectancy, it has also dramatically increased their need for assistance and support. The management of adverse symptoms, including cachexia, is of great importance in order to avoid delays in therapy, reduction of dosages and hospitalizations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules, which have emerged as powerful biomarkers in stratifying human cancers. Due to their high stability in body fluids, miRNAs might be excellent non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection and follow-up of cancer patients. Here, we will summarize the current knowledge and debate the strong need to identify circulating biomarkers for the early diagnosis of cachexia. We will propose circulating non-coding RNAs as biomarkers for detecting early cachexia and implementing specific treatment. We will also discuss the potential use of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers of cachexia in HNSCC patients’ blood samples collected before and after radio-chemotherapy treatment. Our intent is to pave the way to the identification of specific circulating miRNAs associated to cachexia occurrence and to the design of specific interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of cancer patients.
Highlights
Sara Donzelli1*, Alessia Farneti2, Laura Marucci2, Federica Ganci1, Andrea Sacconi3, Sabrina Strano4, Giuseppe Sanguineti2 and Giovanni Blandino1*
About 80% of patients with advanced cancer develop cachexia due to both the tumor itself and cancer treatment, which is associated to a worse prognosis
Our intent is to pave the way to the identification of specific circulating miRNAs associated to cachexia occurrence and to the design of specific interventions aimed at improving the quality of life of cancer patients
Summary
Sara Donzelli1*, Alessia Farneti, Laura Marucci, Federica Ganci, Andrea Sacconi, Sabrina Strano, Giuseppe Sanguineti and Giovanni Blandino1*. Cachexia cannot be resolved with conventional nutritional support (Fearon et al, 2011) This syndrome affects the majority of patients with advanced cancer treated with radio-chemotherapy, including in particular patients with advanced head and neck cancers (HNSCC) (Gorenc et al, 2015; Kwon et al, 2017). It is associated with a poor prognosis, an altered quality of life and a reduced tolerance and response to anticancer therapies (DeWys, 1982; Fearon et al, 2011)
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