Fig. 6From: Modeling the energetic cost of cancer as a result of altered energy metabolism: implications for cachexiaThe proposed model of the tumor causing an energy deficit leading to cachexia. The tumor’s large consumption of glucose and glutamine, and conversion of these substrates to lactate which then require energy from the body to convert back to glucose, creates a vicious cycle of lost energy. Muscle breakdown would provide glucose and glutamine to feed the tumor, especially in a fasting stateBack to article page