Advancements of investigational agents for cancer cachexia: what clinical progress have we seen in the last 5 years?

Targeting GDF-15 represents a paradigm shift in cancer cachexia treatment, with ponsegromab leading the pipeline and entering Phase 3 trials. Anamorelin has demonstrated clinical utility in improving appetite and body weight. Despite recent progress, cancer cachexia undoubtedly represents a still clinically unmet need in everyday routine praxis. The lack of standardized endpoints, heterogeneity of the syndrome, and absence of FDA-approved treatments remain major barriers to treatment implementation. Multimodal strategies combining pharmacological treatment with nutritional and rehabilitative support are likely to define future therapeutic success.