The Threat Cachexia Poses to Heart Muscles

By Daniel Marks, MD, PhD? ?

The heart muscle faces a silent threat in patients with cancer and other chronic diseases: a life-threatening condition called cachexia. This debilitating syndrome, characterized by severe weight loss and muscle wasting, can extend its insidious reach beyond skeletal muscles, significantly impacting the very fabric of the heart.??

As cachexia progresses in some patients, the muscles that make up the heart gradually diminish, compromising its ability to function effectively. This muscle weakening significantly reduces the heart's pumping power, impairing its ability to efficiently circulate blood through the body.?

The consequences are far-reaching. Diminished pumping capacity leads to reduced blood flow to vital organs, leaving patients feeling fatigued and breathless even during minimal exertion. The heart's ability to relax and fill with blood, a crucial phase of its cycle, becomes strained, increasing the risk of heart failure. Moreover, the synchronized electrical signals that coordinate the heart's contractions can become disrupted, potentially leading to irregular heartbeats.?

Most people haven’t even heard of cachexia – it’s far from the forefront of patients’ minds – let alone complications related to heart muscle. For years, Endevica Bio has been researching a drug to successfully treat cachexia in an effort to improve the quality-of-life of the hundreds of the millions of patients who are at risk of developing the syndrome.?

We know that by addressing cachexia, we can help patients better tolerate treatments for their underlying disease, such as chemotherapy for cancer. The goal of our treatment approach is to prevent cachexia before it takes hold, by helping patients maintain their muscle and fat. That can prevent patients from having to suffer the debilitating symptoms associated with the loss of heart muscle.?

Raising awareness about the cardiac complications of cachexia is essential, regardless of the treatment we’re developing. By understanding the intricate link between cancer, muscle loss, and heart health, we can improve the care and support provided to patients, enabling them to navigate their journey with greater strength and resilience.?

Dr. Daniel Marks is Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of Endevica Bio and Abisati.?