Cancer cachexia (Ccx) is a complex metabolic condition characterized by pronounced muscle and fat wasting, systemic inflammation, weakness and fatigue. Up to 30% of cancer patients succumb directly to Ccx, yet therapies that effectively address this perturbed metabolic state are rare. In recent decades, several characteristics of Ccx have been established in mice and humans, of which we here highlight adipose tissue dysfunction, muscle wasting and systemic inflammation, as they are directly linked to biomarker discovery. To counteract cachexia pathogenesis as early as possible and mitigate its detrimental impact on anti‐cancer treatments, identification and validation of clinically endorsed biomarkers assume paramount importance. Ageing was recently shown to affect both the validity of Ccx biomarkers and Ccx development, but the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Thus, unravelling the intricate interplay between ageing and Ccx can help to counteract Ccx pathogenesis and tailor diagnostic and treatment strategies to individual needs.

中文翻译：

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癌症恶病质：生物标志物和年龄的影响

癌症恶病质 (Ccx) 是一种复杂的代谢状况，其特征是明显的肌肉和脂肪消耗、全身炎症、虚弱和疲劳。高达 30% 的癌症患者直接死于 Ccx，但有效解决这种代谢状态紊乱的治疗方法却很少。近几十年来，Ccx 的几个特征已在小鼠和人类中确立，其中我们重点关注脂肪组织功能障碍、肌肉萎缩和全身炎症，因为它们与生物标志物的发现直接相关。为了尽早对抗恶病质发病机制并减轻其对抗癌治疗的不利影响，临床认可的生物标志物的识别和验证至关重要。最近显示衰老会影响 Ccx 生物标志物的有效性和 Ccx 发育，但其潜在机制仍不清楚。因此，揭示衰老与 Ccx 之间错综复杂的相互作用有助于抵消 Ccx 的发病机制，并根据个人需求定制诊断和治疗策略。