BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO-ACID CATABOLISM AND CANCER CACHEXIA (REVIEW)

The present study focuses on the role of branched-chain amino acids (B CAA) (leucine, isoleucine and valine) in cancer cachexia. This is a fr equent and devastating complication of cancer occurring in more than t wo thirds of patients who die with advanced cancer, and in up to 22% o f cancer deaths it is the only abnormality found at autopsy. BCAA are essential amino acids often increased in cancer patients and this phen omenon may be related with increased protein degradation in skeletal m uscle and consequently, cancer cachexia. The relevance of this associa tion in medical terms is evident, future investigations may focus on t herapeutical strategies based on the administration of BCAA to cachect ic patients.