Despite the different aetiology, in both cancer cachexia and in ALS, a similar set of genes may be altered (i.e. atrogenes), driving muscle wasting,5, 14 and high blood levels of inflammatory cytokines as tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), interferon γ (IFNγ), and interleukin 6 (IL6) have been found in animal models of both disorders.17, 18. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.