Table 1 Cytokines mainly associated with the pathogenesis of cachexia, evidence derived from human studies is italicized

TNFα

Promotes tissue proteolysis and NF-kB activation

Han et al.¹⁸

Promotes anorexia and fatigue in cancer patients

Jakubowski et al.¹⁷

IL-1

Promotes anorexia

Uehara et al.²³

Genetic polymorphisms resulting in increased IL-1β levels are marker of poor prognosis

Graziano et al.²⁵

IL-6

Increased circulating levels are poor prognosis markers

Kuroda et al.²⁸ Mantovani et al.⁴⁶

It can be produced directly by the tumor and trigger cachexia

Baltgalvis et al.²⁶

Increased fat tissue browning

Petruzzelli et al.¹²⁰

IFNγ

Synergize with TNFα in promoting muscle wasting

Acharyya et al.²¹