Gluconeogenesis, liver energy metabolism and weight loss in lung cancer : dynamic studies using stable isotope tracers and 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Weight loss is a major problem in many types of cancer and is associated with reduced quality of life and a poor prognosis. Weight loss can also interfere with potentially curable treatment [41,561. Many uncertainties remain about the mechanisms underlying weight loss in patients with cancer. This thesis describes a series of studies aimed at defining alterations in metabolic processes that are potentially related with weight loss in lung cancer patients. Although in literature the terms 'cachexia' (~ a syndrome of weight loss and rnalnutrition) and 'weight loss' are often used interchangeably, in this thesis weight loss will be preferentially used. In this chapter, current knowledge on weight loss in cancer and its relation with metabolic alterations are reviewed and the aim of this thesis is presented.