The Emerging Role of Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in Cancer Cachexia
Barry Laird, Donald C. McMillan, Richard J. E. Skipworth, Marie Fallon, D. Robert Pavăl, Iain A. McNeish, Iain J. Gallagher
Abstract
Treatment of cancer cachexia remains an unmet need. The host-tumour interface and the resulting sequestration of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Il-1β is critical in cachexia development. Neuroinflammation mediated via IL-1β through the hypothalamic pituitary axis results in increased muscle proteolysis and adipose lipolysis, thus creating a prolonged stress-like environment with loss of appetite and increased resting energy expenditure. Recent trials using a monoclonal antibody targeting IL-1β, canakinumab, have shown a potential role in lung cancer; however, a potential role of targeting IL-1β to treat cachexia in patients with lung cancer is unclear, yet the underlying pathophysiology provides a sound rationale that this may be a viable therapeutic approach.