The current consensus definition for cachexia diagnosis among COPD, heart failure, and cancer cases incorporates weight-loss > 5% in the last 12 months in addition to three out of five criteria: 1) decreased muscle strength; 2) fatigue; 3) anorexia; 4) low fat-free mass index (FFMI); and 5) evidence of increased inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6), etc.), anemia or low serum albumin [1]. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is heart failure.