Anorexia is often neglected in cancer care, while it contributes to the development of malnutrition and impinges on quality of life. The pathogenesis of cancer anorexia is multifactorial and involves hormones, neuropeptides, cytokines and neurotransmitters. Cytokines play a key role by inhibiting the hypothalamus to appropriately respond to peripheral signals, more specifically by persistently activating anorexigenic systems and/or inhibiting prophagic pathways. Hypothalamic monoaminergic neurotransmission may significantly contribute to these effects. Thus, the optimal therapeutic approach to anorectic cancer patients should be based on both changes in dietary habits, achieved via nutritional counselling, and drug therapy, aimed at interfering with cytokine expression or hypothalamic monoaminergic neurotransmission. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.
Cancer anorexia: A neglected issue in the optimal management of cancer patients / Laviano, Alessandro; S., De Luca; M. M., Meguid; ROSSI FANELLI, Filippo. - In: JOURNAL OF CANCER PAIN & SYMPTOM PALLIATION. - ISSN 1543-7671. - 1:2(2005), pp. 15-24. [10.1300/j427v01n02_03]
Cancer anorexia: A neglected issue in the optimal management of cancer patients
LAVIANO, Alessandro;ROSSI FANELLI, Filippo
2005
Abstract
Anorexia is often neglected in cancer care, while it contributes to the development of malnutrition and impinges on quality of life. The pathogenesis of cancer anorexia is multifactorial and involves hormones, neuropeptides, cytokines and neurotransmitters. Cytokines play a key role by inhibiting the hypothalamus to appropriately respond to peripheral signals, more specifically by persistently activating anorexigenic systems and/or inhibiting prophagic pathways. Hypothalamic monoaminergic neurotransmission may significantly contribute to these effects. Thus, the optimal therapeutic approach to anorectic cancer patients should be based on both changes in dietary habits, achieved via nutritional counselling, and drug therapy, aimed at interfering with cytokine expression or hypothalamic monoaminergic neurotransmission. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.