Drug breakthrough offers new hope for cancer patients with cachexia

Researchers have taken an important step forward by developing a new drug that safely and effectively helps cancer patients suffering from cachexia, a severe condition that accompanies many cancers and is manifested by significant loss of body weight and muscle mass.

Recently published results from a randomized phase 2 clinical trial involving 187 people suffering from cachexia in various cancers, including lung, pancreatic and colorectal cancers, showed encouraging results. These findings were presented in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine in September 2024. One of the lead researchers involved in this national clinical trial was Dr. Richard Dunn, professor, oncologist and cachexia expert at Wilmot Cancer Institute.

Cachexia is characterized by loss of appetite, decreased body weight, muscle atrophy, chronic fatigue and general weakness. The condition occurs in more than 50% of cancer patients and there are currently no FDA-approved treatments for it.

A new drug called poncegromab has shown significant improvement in patients by blocking the hormone GDF-15, which plays a key role in the regulation of appetite and body weight. The patients in the study had elevated levels of GDF-15, which is one of the main causes of cachexia. Poncegromab belongs to a class of drugs known as monoclonal antibodies, and in this study, it showed improvement in many parameters associated with cachexia symptoms. According to Dr. Dunn, side effects from the drug were minimal, making it a safer alternative compared to traditional appetite stimulants used in cachexia therapy.

Pfizer, the manufacturer of the drug, actively supported the study and officially announced the findings, emphasizing their significance to the cancer community.

“This is truly a breakthrough. This study represents an important step towards improving the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of patients suffering from cachexia,” leading oncologists commented on the results.

These advances offer hope for the emergence of an effective treatment for cachexia that could revolutionize the management of cancer patients, improving their physical condition and overall well-being.