In one aspect, the disclosure relates to methods and compositions for treatment of cancer cachexia. In a further aspect, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a class I/IIB HDAC inhibitor and an androgen. In a still further aspect, the method of treatment comprises administering a class I/IIB HDAC inhibitor and an androgen to a subject or patient who has been diagnosed as having cancer cachexia. In some aspects, the class I/IIB HDAC inhibitor is a compound known as AR-42.