Nutritional support in cancer

The mechanisms and mediators behind the complex syndrome of cancer cachexia are being elucidated slowly. Recent evidence suggests that pro-inflammatory cytokines and tumour-specific cachectic factors may be important. The failure of conventional nutritional support to improve nutritional status and hence improve the efficacy of standard anti-neoplastic therapy (surgery or chemotherapy) may be explained at least in part by the persistent action of the above mediators. Combination therapy focused on modulating the abnormal metabolism of the cancer patient (e.g. with eicosapentaenoic acid) whilst the food intake of patients is increased holds promise for the future. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.