The potential of ghrelin in the treatment of cancer cachexia

Introduction: Cachexia is a multiorgan syndrome associated with cancer, characterized by body weight loss, muscle and adipose tissue wasting and inflammation, being often associated with anorexia. Areas covered: The aim of the present review is to examine the impact of ghrelin and its agonists in the treatment of cancer cachexia, both at the biochemical and physiological level a taking into account new clinical and experimental data related to the effects of ghrelin on food intake and metabolism. The methodology undertaken includes both personal publications and other obtained by Medline search. Expert opinion: Based on experimental evidence, it is concluded that ghrelin strategies are good candidates for muscle wasting treatment because ghrelin levels are elevated in cancer cachexia and ghrelin controls mediators involved in the cachectic process. Future clinical studies addressed at the interaction between the peptide and protein turnover in human skeletal muscle should be performed.