Numerous recent clinical studies have observed an association between the components listed hereafter and the cachectic state of patients (Table2): (i) markers of inflammation: C‐reactive protein; interleukins IL‐1, IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10; IFN‐γ; and TNF‐α; (ii) members of the TGF‐β family: myostatin, activin A, and GDF‐15; (iii) factors derived from the tumour: ZAG (or LMF), VEGF, and Midkine; (iv) lipolysis markers of the adipose tissue: leptin, adiponectin, resistin, free fatty acids, and glycerol; and (v) others: ghrelin, IGF‐1, albumin, and angiotensin II. The gene discussed is RETN; the disease is neoplasm.