Antibody approaches to prevent weight and muscle loss in pancreatic cancer
Official title: Targeting cancer cachexia drivers using antibody-based approaches
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11441340 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | December 11, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $211,518 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA281207-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441340 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atfi, Azeddine — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Atfi, Azeddine
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mitochondrial pores and muscle loss in cancer cachexia
A small US-based study will explore how changes in mitochondria contribute to muscle wasting in people with cancer cachexia and how this may be slowed.
-
CANCAN: A Virtual Institute to Cure Cancer Cachexia
A broad, collaborative NIH initiative aims to uncover why cancer patients lose weight and muscle and to develop new ways to treat this serious condition.
-
Spatial metabolism mapping in cancer cachexia tissues
Aims to map where and how metabolism changes in tissues affected by cancer cachexia using advanced imaging technology.
-
Nuclear receptors that may stop muscle wasting in cancer
This grant explores whether activating specific muscle-regulating receptors can prevent muscle loss in cancer patients.
-
Stopping an enzyme called Transglutaminase 2 to prevent cancer-related muscle loss
This work explores whether blocking an enzyme called Transglutaminase 2 can stop or reverse the severe muscle wasting that often affects people with pancreatic cancer.
-
How the liver's ketone production affects muscle loss and recovery in pancreatic cancer
This project looks at whether helping the liver make ketones can prevent muscle wasting and aid recovery for people with pancreatic cancer.
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.