Cancer: Reason for extreme weight loss clarified

Eight out of ten cancer patients suffer from the life-threatening emaciation, the so-called Kachexie. A fifth even die from it. “The culprit is faulty communication between different cell types,” says Martina Schweiger Institute for Molecular Biosciences of the University of Graz.

Together with an international research team, Schweiger researched the reasons for cachexia. The results were now in the journal PNAS released. Among the different cell types that communicate incorrectly are immune cells trying to fight the cancer. “In the case of cachexia patients, however, they ensure that the body loses too much fat or muscle mass. As a result, cancer therapy is no longer sustainable.”

“Cancer tricks the immune system”

Unexplained, extreme weight loss is in many cases the first sign of cancer. “If you then look at the inflammation levels in the blood or tissues, it’s clear: the whole body is on the alert. Because tumors from cachexia patients send inflammatory factors into the blood that activate the immune cells.

The scavenger cells in the immune system recognize the threat. They therefore send the command to break down fat so that the body can use the energy stored in it for defense. The fat mass is broken down, but the cancer is not fought because the tumor cleverly hides from the scavenger cells. “So the efforts are wasted in vain. The scavenger, fat and nerve cells give each other the command to break down. Meanwhile, the tumor grows undisturbed. The body is getting weaker and therapies have to be stopped in the end,” says Schweiger.

Until now, it was assumed that the tumor gave the signal for fat loss. However, the results of the scientists showed completely different processes: “Now it is clear that different cell types communicate past each other while the cancer is tricking the immune system,” says Schweiger. The goal of her team is now to find a way to delay or even stop this vicious circle.

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