Biomarkers related to fatty acid oxidative capacity are predictive for continued weight loss in cachectic cancer patients.

We found alterations in amino acid levels most likely attributable to cancer metabolism itself in cancer patients compared with controls. Baseline DBS represent a valuable analyte to study energy metabolism related to cancer cachexia. Acylcarnitine patterns (Q2, Q3) predicted further weight loss in cachectic cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy, and pathway analyses indicated involvement of the serine/glycine and the tryptophan pathway in this condition. Validation in larger cohorts is warranted.