Table 1.

Cytokines involved in cachexia, function, and specific targeted therapies

Cytokine	Function	Drug
TGF-β	Decreases protein synthesis; increases muscle catabolism	Trabedersen (binds TGF-β mRNA)
TNF-α	Generates radical oxygen species; increases ubiquitin-proteasome activity	Infliximab (anti-TNF-α mAb); etanercept (recombinant TNF-αR); thalidomide/lenalidomide (inhibits TNF-α); pentoxifylline (inhibits TNF-α)
IL-6	Mediates systemic inflammation; increases muscle catabolism; regulates synthesis of acute phase reactants	Clazakizumab (anti-IL-6 mAb ); tocilizumab (anti-IL-6 receptor mAb)

TGF-β: Transforming growth factor-beta; IL-6: Interleukin-6; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha.