MOUSE MODELS TO STUDY CACHEXIA

摘要

Embodiments of the invention provide mouse tumor models involving either the B16 mouse melanoma or MXT mouse mammary tumor, untreated or treated with chemotherapy and/or anti-cachectic agents, for the study of tumor-generated or cancer therapy-generated cachexia-inducing signals and mechanisms. Other embodiments of the invention also provide additional models, including pre-treatment of mouse skin with anti-cachectic proteins prior to tumor implantation, for the study of anti-cachectic signals and mechanisms generated by the skin. To reduce or reverse tumor- and chemotherapy-induced cachexia, embodiments of the invention use the human proteins placental alkaline phosphatase, transferrin, α₁-antitrypsin preparations or combinations thereof as well as chemically synthesized CCDTHT or N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-2-[(9-oxo-9H-thioxanthen-2-yl)methoxy]-ethanaminium iodide or CCDTHT-like compounds.