An Experimental Study on the Role of Gemcitabine in the Treatment of Cancer Cachexia

The aim of the present is to investigate the anti-cachexia effect of gemcitabine (GEM) using a mouse model of cancer cachexia and define the appropriate mode of application. Murine models of cancer cachexia were established, and the mice were grouped into control (Group C, injected saline), group standard (injected GEM 100 mg/kg once every 4 days), and group improved (injected GEM 50, 25, and 25 mg/kg for 3 consecutive days). In vivo inflammation indices were observed and compared among different groups after treatment. The body weight and survival in group standard were significantly better than that in group control (P < 0.05). The survival in group improved was significantly longer than that in group control (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the subcutaneous tumor area between the two groups. GEM can inhibit the progression of cancer cachexia, and the underlying mechanism may involve the inhibition of in vivo inflammatory response, which in turn inhibits cancer cachexia.