Lastly, circulating growth hormone was increased 20 min after subcutaneous PEP-064 dosing, peaking at 30 min at 93 ng/mL and returning to approximately baseline by 120 min.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The novel, long-acting and efficacious ghrelin analogue, PEP-064, restored energy balance in cancer cachexia by increasing food intake and body weight, preserving lean mass and increasing adiposity, without affecting tumour growth. This evidence concerns the gene GHRL and cancer.