Do tumors trigger muscle wasting by disrupting myosin?
Official title: Assessing if tumor induced muscle cachexia is initiated by defects in Myosin Heavy Chain production and localization in a Drosophila tumor model
Funded at Sam Houston State University · NIH-11135530 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will use a fruit fly tumor model to find out if early changes in myosin cause the muscle wasting that happens with cancer, with the goal of helping people who develop cachexia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sam Houston State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Huntsville, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $171,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM150753-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11135530 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with cancer who are losing weight or showing muscle weakness and are interested in research that could lead to earlier detection or prevention of cachexia.
✕Less likely to help
People without cancer or those whose weight loss has non-cachexia causes are unlikely to get direct benefit from this laboratory study.
What this research studies
This project uses a Drosophila (fruit fly) tumor model to look for early, predictable changes in muscle that precede cancer-associated wasting. The team will examine myosin heavy chain production and localization and test whether the Hippo signaling pathway controls these early events. They will use tissue-specific genetic tools, staining, and imaging to trace when and where muscle changes begin during tumor development. The work is basic and lab-based but aims to reveal early markers or mechanisms that could guide future patient diagnostics or therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to early signs or targets for preventing or treating cancer-related muscle wasting in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Using fly models to study tumor-driven muscle wasting is a relatively new but promising preclinical approach with some supportive early findings, though clinical translation remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atkins, Mardelle Renee — Sam Houston State University
- Study coordinator: Atkins, Mardelle Renee
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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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Adipose tissue and its role in lung cancer cachexia
A new NIH grant explores how fat tissue around the body may feed lung cancer growth and drive weight loss, with the aim of finding ways to help patients who struggle with cancer cachexia.
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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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Innate inflammatory control of cachexia in chronic disease
A research team is studying how inflammation drives cachexia in chronic disease using a parasite model to find therapies that could protect lean body mass without raising infection risk.
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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.
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.