BNIP3 and muscle wasting in pancreatic cancer
Role of BNIP3 and mitophagy in muscle atrophy and cancer cachexia
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 ID | NIH-11241130 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or those unwilling or unable to give tissue or blood samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
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 performed: 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
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Macleod, Kay F — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Macleod, Kay F
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.