BNIP3 and muscle wasting in pancreatic cancer
Official title: Role of BNIP3 and mitophagy in muscle atrophy and cancer cachexia
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11241130 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether a protein called BNIP3 drives muscle wasting in people with pancreatic cancer and whether muscle-derived blood markers could help detect cancer earlier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | December 5, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $663,972 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA294703-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11241130 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), especially those experiencing weight loss or muscle weakness and who can provide muscle biopsy or blood samples.
✕Less likely to help
People without pancreatic cancer or those unwilling or unable to give tissue or blood samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will use genetically engineered mouse models of pancreatic cancer to see how BNIP3 and mitophagy reduce mitochondrial mass in specific muscle fibers and cause atrophy. They will reintroduce different mutant forms of BNIP3 into muscle to trace the signaling changes that control fiber growth and to explore why males and females may show different degrees of wasting. The team will examine muscle tissue from pancreatic cancer patients to see if BNIP3 levels match the amount of cachexia and link to survival. They will also measure proteins and metabolites released from atrophying muscle into the blood to see if these factors speed tumor progression or could serve as early-stage cancer biomarkers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify targets to prevent or reduce cancer-related muscle loss and blood markers that help detect pancreatic cancer earlier.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and patient-sample research has linked mitophagy proteins to muscle wasting, but using muscle-derived blood markers for early pancreatic cancer detection is a newer and less-tested idea.
Where this research is happening
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University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macleod, Kay F — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Macleod, Kay F
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Investigating how BNIP3 and mitophagy contribute to muscle wasting in cancer patients.
This study is looking at how a protein called BNIP3 affects muscle loss in people with pancreatic cancer, using mouse models to see how it works and checking muscle samples from patients to find out if BNIP3 can help predict muscle wasting and survival, which could lead to better ways to spot the disease early.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.