Weight loss induced by tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway.

Weight loss, cachexia and sarcopenia are profound problems in the frail oncologic patients. With the development and increasing use of angiogenesis inhibitors in metastatic cancer patients, the question arises as to their influence on body weight and composition. Angiogenesis is not only important for the growth, development and metastatic potential of tumors but also for physiological processes in adipogenesis. A less known approach of angiogenesis inhibitors is their experimental use in obese models. This review focuses on the effects on the body weight and composition of angiogenesis inhibitors, especially of those targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor pathway.