STAT3 activation in skeletal muscle links muscle wasting and the acute phase response in cancer cachexia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cachexia, or weight loss despite adequate nutrition, significantly impairs quality of life and response to therapy in cancer patients. In cancer patients, skeletal muscle wasting, weight loss and mortality are all positively associated with increased serum cytokines, particularly Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the presence of the acute phase response. Acute phase proteins, including fibrinogen and serum amyloid A (SAA) are synthesized by hepatocytes in response to IL-6 as part of the innate immune response. To gain insight into the relationships among these observations, we studied mice with moderate and severe Colon-26 (C26)-carcinoma cachexia.

Methodology/principal findings

Moderate and severe C26 cachexia was associated with high serum IL-6 and IL-6 family cytokines

SUBMITTER: Bonetto A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3140523 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature