MSK study maps cancer cachexia episodes across 52,000 patients in Nature Medicine

A peer-reviewed study in Nature Medicine (12 October 2026) from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center describes a large clinicogenomic atlas of cancer cachexia — the wasting syndrome of unintentional weight and muscle loss that affects many people with cancer.

What the researchers did

They repurposed longitudinal care data from 52,236 adults sequenced with MSK-IMPACT (2010–2024), defining discrete episodes that met consensus weight-loss criteria (≥5% over six months, or ≥2% if BMI < 20). About 46.6% of patients had at least one episode. Episodes clustered near radiographic progression more often than by chance in most cancer types and were linked to worse survival. A consistent blood signature included lower albumin and hemoglobin and higher liver enzymes. Certain tumor genotypes, especially TP53 mutations across several cancers, associated with higher episode risk. A prediction model for impending weight loss in lung, colorectal and prostate cancer was tested internally and in an external Dana-Farber cohort (n = 5,839).

Study type and limits

This is a retrospective observational analysis of real-world EHR and genomic data — associations, not proven causation. BMI cannot fully capture muscle versus fat loss; therapy effects are hard to separate; MSK is a tertiary center. The paper does not offer personal medical advice; patients concerned about weight loss on cancer treatment should talk to their oncology team.