Study of GTx-024 on Muscle Wasting (Cachexia) Cancer.

Cancer cachexia is characterized by a hypermetabolic state that leads to catabolism that is responsible for reductions in lean mass.These catabolic changes are accompanied by an increase in total energy expenditure, but a decrease in voluntary energy expenditure that ultimately results clinically in cachexia and its symptoms of lethargy, fatigue, weakness and general malaise (Kotler DP. Cachexia. Ann Intern Med. 2000; 133:622-634). The prevalence of cachexia increases from 50 percent at presentation to more than 80 percent before death from malignancy. In over 20 percent of cancer patients, cachexia is the cause of death (Bruera E. Anorexia, cachexia and nutrition. Br Med J 1997;315:1219-1222). Cancer cachexia leads to shorter survival, decreased response rates and increased toxicity to chemotherapy, weakness, and an overall decreased quality of life (DeWys et al. Prognostic effect of weight loss prior to chemotherapy in cancer patients. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group. Am J Med. 1980 Oct;69(4):491-7). The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of GTx-024 on total body lean mass. Secondary endpoints include but are not limited to assessment of GTx-024 on muscle function, total body weight and total body fat mass.