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The original was posted on /r/upliftingnews by /u/No-Zucchini3759 on 2025-07-26 18:52:19+00:00.
Here is the paper summary:
"In cancer cachexia, the presence of a tumor triggers systemic metabolic disruption that leads to involuntary body weight loss and accelerated mortality in affected patients. Here, we conducted transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of the liver in various weight-stable cancer and cancer cachexia models. An integrative multilevel analysis approach identified a distinct gene expression signature that included hepatocyte-secreted factors and the circadian clock component REV-ERBα as key modulator of hepatic transcriptional reprogramming in cancer cachexia. Notably, hepatocyte-specific genetic reconstitution of REV-ERBα in cachexia ameliorated peripheral tissue wasting. This improvement was associated with decreased levels of specific cachexia-controlled hepatocyte-secreted factors. These hepatokines promoted catabolism in multiple cell types and were elevated in cachectic cancer patients. Our findings reveal a mechanism by which the liver contributes to peripheral tissue wasting in cancer cachexia, offering perspectives for future therapeutic interventions."
Here is my take on this:
- It identifies new therapeutic targets like REV-ERBα and specific hepatokines which reversed tissue wasting in animal models. This opens the door to treatments that actually work, which cachexia research has long needed.
- It shows that these targets are relevant across multiple types of cancer, meaning it’s not confined to one niche. That expands its reach to oncology, nutrition, palliative care, and metabolic medicine.
- It introduces biomarkers that could allow clinicians to detect cachexia early, giving insight into molecular behavior of the patient, instead of waiting to see the visible signs months down the road.