Anamorelin hydrochloride in the treatment of cancer anorexia–cachexia syndrome: design, development, and potential place in therapy

Abstract

Solomon A Graf,1–3 Jose M Garcia4,5 1Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 2Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine, 3Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 4Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 5Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA Abstract: Cancer anorexia–cachexia syndrome (CACS) is a complex and largely untreatable paraneoplastic complication common in advanced cancer. It is associated with profoundly deleterious effects on quality of life and survival. Since its discovery over a decade ago, anamorelin hydrochloride (anamorelin), a mimetic of the growth hormone secretagogue ghrelin, has shown considerable promise in ameliorating components of CACS when administered to patients with advanced cancer, including loss of lean body mass and reversal of anorexia. This review summarizes the development of anamorelin and its safety and efficacy in clinical investigations. The potential future role of anamorelin in treating CACS is also discussed. Keywords: anamorelin, cachexia, anorexia, ghrelin, non-small cell lung cancer

Keywords

• Anamorelin
• cachexia
• anorexia
• ghrelin
• non-small cell lung cancer