Study Links Brain-Liver Signal Loss to Cancer Weight Loss

New Delhi: A new study published in the journal Cell has found that disrupted communication between the brain and liver may be a key factor behind the extreme weight loss often experienced by cancer patients. This condition, known as cachexia, is a life-threatening syndrome that contributes to nearly one-third of all cancer-related deaths.

Cachexia leads to rapid and severe weight loss, including the breakdown of both muscle mass and body fat. It is especially common in patients with pancreatic and lung cancers, where it affects up to 85% of cases. The condition not only weakens patients but also reduces their ability to respond to treatments like chemotherapy, worsening overall outcomes. Despite its serious impact, there are currently no effective treatments for cachexia.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre in the United States. The team, led by Dr. Naama Darzi and Dr. Aliesha Garrett, focused on the role of the vagus nerve — a critical communication pathway between the brain and the liver.

They found that inflammation triggered by cancer disrupts the function of the vagus nerve. This disruption damages liver metabolism and contributes to the onset of cachexia. However, when researchers selectively blocked the right vagus nerve in mice, using noninvasive techniques, they were able to prevent cachexia from developing. The treated mice also responded better to chemotherapy and showed improved health and survival.

What makes this approach promising is that it uses technology already approved for clinical use, suggesting that it could be tested in human patients relatively soon.

In addition to offering a potential treatment for cachexia, the study emphasises the importance of brain-body communication in managing serious illnesses, potentially opening new doors in cancer care and metabolic research.