part 1 Part I: Pathophysiology of Cachexia -- chapter 1 Malnutrition and Cachexia / chapter 2 Anorexia: Central and Peripheral Mechanisms / chapter 3 Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Hypertrophy / chapter 4 Skeletal Muscle Apoptosis in Cachexia and Aging / chapter 5 Neurohormonal Factors / chapter 6 Cytokines and the Pathophysiology of Skeletal Muscle Atrophy / part 2 Part II: Diseases Associated with Cachexia -- chapter 7 Diseases Associated with Cachexia: Cancer / chapter 8 Cachexia Associated with AIDS / chapter 9 Rheumatoid Cachexia / chapter 10 Chronic Kidney Disease: Need for an Integrated Therapy Against Malnutrition and Wasting / chapter 11 Cardiac Failure / chapter 12 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / chapter 13 Cachexia in Older Persons / part 3 Part III: General Therapeutic Aspects -- chapter 14 Treatment Goals / chapter 15 Nutritional Treatment of Cachexia / part 4 Part IV: Drugs in Clinical Use -- chapter 16 Appetite Stimulants / chapter 17 Cardiac Cachexia — Drugs in Clinical Use / chapter 18 β2-Adrenergic Agonists in the Treatment of Muscle Atrophy / chapter 19 Androgens, Anabolic Steroids, and Glucocorticoids / chapter 20 Growth Hormone / chapter 21 Anti-Inflammatory Agents in Cancer Cachexia / part 5 Part V: Drugs in Research and Development -- chapter 22 The Yin and Yang of IGF-1 and Ghrelin / chapter 23 Erythropoietin — A Novel Therapeutic Option for Cachectic Patients / chapter 24 Statins / chapter 25 Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors and Insulin Sensitizers / chapter 26 Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors in the Management of Cancer-Associated Weight Loss Syndrome / part 6 Part VI: Future Drug Targets -- chapter 27 Central Pharmacological Targets / chapter 28 The Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway / chapter 29 Peripheral Signaling Pathways Involved in Muscle Loss / chapter 30 Perspectives and Outlook