<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" A new discovery could lead to treatment for and perhaps prevention of cachexia, the loss of muscle mass cancer can result in. Cachexia causes life-threatening loss of body weight and is responsible for as many as one in four cancer deaths. There is currently no treatment. Researchers at Ohio State University, Arthur G James Cancer Hospital and Richard J Solove Research Institute examined tissue from human laboratory and mouse models and showed that muscle stem cells - or satellite cells - would normally proliferate after damage to muscle fibres, fusing with surrounding tissue to limit wasting. However, tumours release substances into the blood that prevent these satellite cells from differentiating into muscle cells, rendering them unable to carry out repairs. Principal investigator Professor Denis Guttridge said in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that this finding could lead to new strategies and drug targets for cancer cachexia. &amp;#039;By identifying agents that overcome the block and allow muscle stem cells to differentiate, it might be possible to restore muscle mass and enhance the quality of life of cancer patients,&amp;#039; he added. A past study at Ohio State University demonstrated that cachexia can also cause significant damage to the heart. Read the current issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation here "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/news/a24514/discovery-could-lead-to-treatment-for-cachexia/>