Cancer cachexia is a wasting disorder defined by an unintentional weight loss of > 5% or >2% if the patient has a BMI < 20 kg/m2 or sarcopenia. It is an under-diagnosed disorder. Prevalence of cachexia can vary between cancer types, but rates of cachexia are known to be high in pancreatic, gastric, esophageal, and lung cancers. It affects not just body weight but also overall quality of life including how patients feel and function. Additionally, clinical evidence has demonstrated cachexia can diminish a patient’s ability to tolerate therapy which may have a negative impact on overall survival.

This RFP is seeking proposals for independent education initiatives that will improve the ability of healthcare professionals to:

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of cachexia.
• Use diagnostic tools to assess, measure and correctly document cachexia in patient records.
• Utilize current strategies to improve appetite, lean body mass, or physical function in patients with cachexia.
• Become familiar with the mechanism of GDF-15 and its role as a target in cachexia treatment.
• Consider patients for a cachexia clinical trial, understanding the status of new therapeutic options currently in development.

It is not our intent to support clinical research projects. Projects evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic or diagnostic agents will not be considered.