Pathophysiological mechanisms explaining poor clinical outcome of older cancer patients with low skeletal muscle mass

Abstract

Low skeletal muscle mass is highly prevalent in older cancer patients and affects 5% to 89% depending on the type and stage of cancer. Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with poor clinical outcomes such as postoperative complications, chemotherapy toxicity and mortality in older cancer patients. Little is known about the mediating pathophysiological mechanisms. In this review we summarize proposed pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the association between low muscle mass and poor clinical outcomes in older cancer patients including 1) systemic inflammation; 2) insulin-dependent glucose handling; 3) mitochondrial function; 4) protein status, and; 5) pharmacokinetics of anticancer dr..