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Clues to why the weight-loss condition cachexia arises when cancer occurs

Analyses of RNA expression reveal molecules underpinning the cancer-associated process of skeletal-muscle wasting, a condition called cachexia.
By
  1. Kerstin Haase

    1. Kerstin Haase is in the Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK.

  2. Mariam Jamal-Hanjani

    1. Mariam Jamal-Hanjani is in the Cancer Research UK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK, and the Department of Oncology, University College London Hospitals.

Cachexia is a complex and multi-organ syndrome that is associated with cancer and affects quality of life. It is characterized by progressive and often severe weight loss, mainly due to the loss of skeletal muscle and, often, fat tissue. Unlike the weight loss that arises from starvation, cachexia cannot be fully reversed by nutritional interventions, and the condition is often accompanied by inflammation, metabolic dysregulation and reduced physical capabilities1. Writing in Nature, Bhatt et al.2 report identifying RNA-expression patterns associated with cachexia in skeletal muscle, which might lead to new treatment targets.

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Nature 646, 805-806 (2025)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-02594-8

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 27 January 2026: An earlier version of the figure in this News & Views article erroneously depicted muscle cells and myofibrils instead of muscle cells inside skeletal muscle tissue.

References

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Competing Interests

M.J-.H. has received funding from CRUK, NIH National Cancer Institute, IASLC International Lung Cancer Foundation, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, Rosetrees Trust, UKI NETs and NIHR. M.J-.H. has also consulted for Astex Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer and Achilles Therapeutics, is a member of the Achilles Therapeutics Scientific Advisory Board and Steering Committee and has received speaker honoraria from Pfizer.

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