High levels of various cytokines in particular have been closely associated with cachexia and mortality in cancer patients. For example, in NCI-sponsored mouse model studies, Dr. Zimmers has shown that elevated levels of the cytokine IL-6 can cause cachexia. She and others have begun to elucidate some of the possible mechanisms by which IL-6 can do this.Although the biology underlying cancer-related cachexia is not fully understood, there are a few possible therapies that are making their way in early human studies. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/may/23/pirates-caribbean-4-piracy-film