Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of intermittent claudication. It can inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha production, reducing plasma levels of this cytokine, which is thought to be a mediator in cancer-associated anorexia and cachexia (Goldberg et al., 1995). Pentoxifylline was evaluated in anorexia.