摘要 |
A method of treating cachexia is disclosed involving the removal or inactivation of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) present in the blood, plasma or serum of a cachexia subject. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of providing a suitable substrate for binding MIC-1 (e.g. a substrate provided with a MIC-1 binding molecule), treating blood, plasma or serum removed from a subject by contacting the blood, plasma or serum ex vivo with the substrate such that MIC-1 present in the blood, plasma or serum is bound to the substrate, separating the treated blood, plasma or serum from the substrate, and thereafter returning the treated blood, plasma or serum to the subject. Also disclosed, is a method of diagnosing or prognosing cachexia in a subject, said method comprising determining the amount of MIC-1 present in the subject. |