A monoclonal antibody capable of binding to human GDF-15 (MIC-1/NAG-1), or an antigen-binding portion thereof, comprises a heavy chain variable domain CDR3 region at least 90% identical to the sequence ARSSYGAMDY, and a light chain variable domain CDR3 region at least 85% identical to the sequence QQYNNFPYT, may be used for treating cancer cachexia in a mammal. The antibody may bind to a conformational or discontinuous epitope on human GDF-15, comprising residues 40-55 and 94-114. The antibodies of the invention include murine antibodies, chimeric antibodies and humanized antibodies, and preferably treat the cancer itself as well as cancer cachexia.
