Sarcopenia and cachexia are among the most serious yet underestimated challenges in modern medicine. Both syndromes—though distinct in their etiology and dynamics—profoundly impact physiological function, quality of life, and patient prognosis across diverse clinical populations. With an aging global population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and the increasing complexity of geriatric care, there is an urgent need for an in-depth, interdisciplinary examination of these disorders. This Research Topic in Frontiers in Medicine aims to consolidate the latest evidence, research, and perspectives on sarcopenia, cachexia, and their intersections with the aging process, geriatrics, and clinical nutrition.
Aging is a primary risk factor for sarcopenia and a multidimensional process that significantly alters metabolism and muscle function. From a geriatric perspective, sarcopenia is not merely the loss of muscle mass; it is a complex syndrome characterized by declines in strength, physical performance, and physiological reserves. These deficits lead to increased susceptibility to falls, hospitalization, and loss of independence. This special issue seeks to highlight both the biological mechanisms of muscle aging and the practical implications for elderly care.
Cachexia often accompanies conditions such as cancer, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, COPD, and systemic inflammatory diseases, remaining one of the most complex metabolic syndromes to manage. Its multifactorial nature—encompassing metabolic derangements, systemic inflammation, hormonal shifts, and severe anorexia—necessitates an integrated medical approach. We invite contributions that explore new research directions, biomarkers, therapeutic strategies, and the ongoing challenges in the diagnosis and monitoring of cachexia.
Special emphasis will be placed on the role of nutrition, both as a risk factor and a therapeutic pillar. Nutritional interventions—ranging from traditional diet therapy and protein/amino acid supplementation to advanced metabolic strategies—are essential to the management of sarcopenia and cachexia. However, their efficacy depends on precise diagnosis, individualization of therapy, and integration with other modalities, such as physical activity and pharmacotherapy.
The goal of this Research Topic is to provide a platform for researchers, clinicians, nutritionists, and specialists in geriatric and translational medicine to exchange knowledge and present cutting-edge developments. We invite the submission of Original Research, Reviews, and Translational or Clinical studies that broaden our understanding of sarcopenia and cachexia while identifying new frontiers in diagnosis and therapy.
Article types and fees
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Brief Research Report
Case Report
Clinical Trial
Editorial
FAIR² Data
FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
General Commentary
Hypothesis and Theory
Methods
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Article types
This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:
Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
