Anamorelin hydrochloride for the treatment of cancer-anorexia-cachexia in NSCLC.

Anamorelin administration in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome (CACS) leads to increased appetite, body weight, and lean body mass, likely through ghrelin receptor agonism and growth hormone stimulation, with a favorable safety profile observed in clinical studies.

This article is a review summarizing preclinical and clinical studies on anamorelin's pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety, and tolerability in treating CACS in NSCLC patients.

CACS significantly worsens outcomes in cancer patients by causing muscle wasting and weight loss. Anamorelin offers a novel approach by targeting multiple pathways involved in appetite and metabolism, potentially improving quality of life and survival.

The review does not specify the strength of evidence or detailed clinical trial data, and long-term safety and efficacy remain unestablished. Effects in cancer types other than NSCLC are also unknown.