Overview

• Researchers at Weizmann Institute and MD Anderson pinpointed inflammation-driven vagus nerve dysregulation as the trigger for liver metabolic failure in cancer cachexia.
• In mouse models, targeted blocking of the right vagus nerve prevented severe muscle and fat loss, preserving body mass and strength.
• Vagal blockade boosted chemotherapy effectiveness in animals and extended survival compared with untreated controls.
• The intervention employs devices already approved for other medical uses, speeding its transition into human testing.
• Cachexia affects up to 85% of pancreatic and lung cancer patients and contributes to nearly one-third of cancer-related deaths.