Antibody approaches to prevent weight and muscle loss in pancreatic cancer
Targeting cancer cachexia drivers using antibody-based approaches
Trying antibody-based therapies to stop or reduce muscle wasting and weight loss in people with pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11441340 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are working to find molecules produced by pancreatic tumors that cause the severe weight loss and muscle wasting seen in many patients. They use mouse models that mimic human pancreatic cancer and change a gene called TGIF1 to see which tumor factors drive cachexia, then design antibodies to block those factors. The team tests whether these antibodies preserve muscle mass and strength in animals and studies the biology behind the effect. The goal is to turn these findings into therapies that could eventually be tested in people with pancreatic cancer.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are experiencing or at high risk for cancer-related weight loss and muscle wasting would be the eventual candidates for therapies stemming from this work.
Not a fit: Patients whose weight loss is caused by non-cancer conditions or who have cancers unrelated to pancreatic mechanisms studied here may not benefit from these specific antibody approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to antibody treatments that prevent or reverse cancer-related muscle wasting and improve quality of life for people with pancreatic cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Some laboratory studies blocking tumor-derived factors have reduced muscle loss in animals, but clinical success has been limited and antibody-based cachexia treatments remain largely experimental.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atfi, Azeddine — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Atfi, Azeddine
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.