Mechanisms, Impact, and Clinical Management of Cancer-Related Anorexia: A Narrative Review.
- 1Department of Medical Oncology, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
Abstract
Cancer-related anorexia (CRA) is a common and distressing symptom in patients with cancer. It affects nutritional status, treatment tolerance, and quality of life. This narrative review examines the molecular mechanisms, clinical manifestations, risk factors, and current management of CRA from a clinical perspective. Existing interventions include nutritional counselling, oral nutritional supplements, and enteral or parenteral nutrition when indicated. Pharmacological options such as megestrol acetate and low-dose olanzapine have shown benefit in appetite stimulation, though their use requires careful patient selection. Several therapeutic approaches are under active investigation, including anamorelin, a ghrelin receptor agonist, and agents targeting the growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) pathway. Melanocortin-4 receptor antagonists have also emerged as candidate treatments in preclinical and early-phase studies. Multimodal strategies combining nutritional support with pharmacological and exercise-based interventions are increasingly recognised as the most practical framework for clinical care. This review summarises the molecular basis, clinical features, risk factors, and contemporary treatment strategies for CRA, with particular emphasis on evolving pharmacological and multimodal strategies. The goal is to give clinicians a practical reference to improve patients' nutritional status and overall well-being during cancer treatment.
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BibTeX
@article{fang2026mechanisms,
title = {{Mechanisms, Impact, and Clinical Management of Cancer-Related Anorexia: A Narrative Review.}},
author = {Xin Fang and Xinyan Wang and Xinyu Qian},
journal = {Cancer management and research},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2147/cmar.s632267},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968960},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Mechanisms, Impact, and Clinical Management of Cancer-Related Anorexia: A Narrative Review.
AU - Xin Fang
AU - Xinyan Wang
AU - Xinyu Qian
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Cancer management and research
DO - 10.2147/cmar.s632267
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968960
AB - Cancer-related anorexia (CRA) is a common and distressing symptom in patients with cancer. It affects nutritional status, treatment tolerance, and quality of life. This narrative review examines the molecular mechanisms, clinical manifestations, risk factors, and current management of CRA from a clinical perspective. Existing interventions include nutritional counselling, oral nutritional supplements, and enteral or parenteral nutrition when indicated. Pharmacological options such as megestrol acetate and low-dose olanzapine have shown benefit in appetite stimulation, though their use requires careful patient selection. Several therapeutic approaches are under active investigation, including anamorelin, a ghrelin receptor agonist, and agents targeting the growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) pathway. Melanocortin-4 receptor antagonists have also emerged as candidate treatments in preclinical and early-phase studies. Multimodal strategies combining nutritional support with pharmacological and exercise-based interventions are increasingly recognised as the most practical framework for clinical care. This review summarises the molecular basis, clinical features, risk factors, and contemporary treatment strategies for CRA, with particular emphasis on evolving pharmacological and multimodal strategies. The goal is to give clinicians a practical reference to improve patients' nutritional status and overall well-being during cancer treatment.
SN - 1179-1322
ER -