Pathophysiological mechanisms explaining poor clinical outcome of older cancer patients with low skeletal muscle mass.

ABSTRACT: Low skeletal muscle mass is highly prevalent in older cancer patients and affects 5% to 89% depending on the type and stage of cancer. Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with poor clinical outcomes such as post-operative complications, chemotherapy toxicity and mortality in older cancer patients. Little is known about the mediating pathophysiological mechanisms. In this review, we summarize proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the association between low skeletal muscle mass and poor clinical outcomes in older cancer patients including a) systemic inflammation; b) insulin-dependent glucose handling; c) mitochondrial function; d) protein status and; e) pharmacokinetics of anticancer drugs. The mechanisms of altered myokine balance negatively affecting the innate and adaptiv

SUBMITTER: Looijaard SMLM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7757176 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature