The effect of anamorelin (ONO-7643) on cachexia in cancer patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background Cachexia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in patients with cancer. This meta-analysis aims to explore the effect of anamorelin on cancer cachexia markers. Methods We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS, and WOS from their inception until 5 June 2022. A systematic search was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. We included trials investigating the effect of anamorelin on body weight, lean body mass, fat mass, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), handgrip, quality of life insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3), and in patients with cancer. A random-effects model was run to pooled results. Results Five articles providing 1331 participants were analyzed in this study. Pooled analysis revealed a significant increase in body weight (weighted mean difference (WMD): 1.56 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.20, 1.92; I 2 = 0%), lean body mass (WMD: 1.36 kg, 95% CI: 0.85, 1.86; I 2 = 53.1%), fat mass (WMD: 1.02 kg, 95% CI: 0.51, 1.53; I 2 = 60.7%), IGF-1 (WMD: 51.16 ng/mL, 95% CI: 41.42, 60.90, I 2 = 0%), and IGFBP-3 (WMD: 0.43 μg/mL, 95% CI: 0.17, 0.68, I 2 = 98.6%). Results showed no significant increase in appetite when analysis run on all studies without considering different doses 0.29 (95% CI: −0.30, 0.89, I 2 = 73.8%), however, there was a significant increase in appetite without heterogeneity and inconsistency 0.59 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.86; I 2 = 0%) in the 100 mg/day group compared to anamorelin non-user. Conclusions Patients with cancer who receive anamorelin as a treatment for cachexia showed a significant increase in body weight, lean body mass, fat mass, IGF-1, and IGFBP-3.