A 68-year-old man has a long history of prostate cancer that was metastatic at the time of diagnosis. Over the past 2 months, he has had significant weight loss, loss of appetite, and loss of energy. His current spectrum of conditions can be attributed to which of the following

Cachexia, or wasting due to cancer manifests with weakness, weight loss, anorexia, anemia, and infection. The principal cytokine responsible for such changes is tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a). -Both platelet-derived growth factor and fibroblast growth factor are involved in wound healing. -Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an immuno-stimulating cytokine produced by activated T cells. -Vascular endothelial growth factor is impoant in the proliferation of blood vessels in a growing tumor.