Cachexia and pancreatic cancer: Are there treatment options?

Table 1 Dietary supplements in the treatment of cancer cachexia

Agent	Mechanism of action	Ref.
N3-fatty acids (EPA, DHA, fish oil)	Reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase-response	[32-36]
L-Carnitine	Antioxidant, cofactor of mitochondrial production of Acetyl-coA (ß-oxidation, aminoacid metabolism)	[37-40]
Antioxidants (GSH, ALA, NAC, vitamins A/C/E)	Reduction of ROS-formation and oxidative stress	[42-45]
Branched-chain-amino acids	Anabolic effects, stimulation of appetite and food intake	[46-49]
Lactoferrin	Increase of hemoglobin in anemic patients, iron-metabolism, decrease of inflammatory response	[50]

EPA: Eicosapentaenoic acid; DHA: Docosahexaenoic acid; GSH: Glutathione; ALA: Alpha-lipoic acid; NAC: N-acetyl-cysteine.