1. Noun. The polypeptide hormone ''cachectin'' or ''tumor necrosis factor'' ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Medical Definition of Cachexin
1. This protein fragment is foundin the urine of patients who suffer from debilitation and wasting from cancer, particularly cancers of the lung, breast, ovary and pancreas. It is believed to cause the wasting bydegrading muscle proteins and inhibiting the creation of new proteins.
(09 Oct 1997)
