How cancer-related weight loss might change antibody recycling and affect anti–PD-1 therapy for lung cancer
Official title: Cachexia-mediated FcRn Modulation and Its Impact on Anti-PD1 Therapy in Lung Cancer
Funded at Ohio State University · NIH-11141634 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are checking whether cancer-related weight loss changes how the body handles antibody drugs and makes anti–PD-1 treatments work less well for people with lung cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 8, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,263,739 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA273924-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141634 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with non-small cell lung cancer, especially those experiencing cancer-related weight loss (cachexia) or receiving anti–PD-1 immunotherapy, would be most relevant to this research.
✕Less likely to help
People without lung cancer, those not treated with antibody-based immunotherapy, or patients without signs of cachexia are unlikely to be directly affected by this project.
What this research studies
This work combines animal models and clinical data to study a protein called FcRn that helps recycle antibodies and albumin in immune cells. The team compares immune cell behavior and drug clearance in cachectic (weight-losing) versus non-cachectic tumor-bearing mice and analyzes pharmacology data from lung cancer patients on anti–PD-1 drugs. They will test whether changes in FcRn in myeloid cells explain higher antibody clearance and poorer responses, and probe the signaling that triggers those changes. Findings could point to markers or strategies to help patients with cancer-related weight loss get more benefit from immunotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify patients with cachexia who are less likely to benefit from anti–PD-1 drugs and suggest ways to improve their response.
How similar studies have gone: Retrospective clinical data and mouse models have linked higher antibody clearance to poorer ICI responses, but the specific role of FcRn in cachexia is a novel and not yet proven idea.
Where this research is happening
-
Ohio State University
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Phelps, Mitch a — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Phelps, Mitch a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding weight loss in lung cancer patients
This study is looking at why people with lung cancer sometimes lose weight and muscle without trying, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve their health and well-being by understanding the changes happening in their bodies.
-
How cachexia affects lung cancer treatment with immune therapy
This study is looking at how severe weight loss and muscle loss, known as cachexia, affects the success of a lung cancer treatment called anti-PD1 therapy, to help find ways to make this treatment work better for patients dealing with both lung cancer and cachexia.
-
Creating a mouse model to understand and treat lung cancer-related weight loss
This study is creating a special type of mouse to help us understand the weight loss and muscle loss that lung cancer patients experience, so we can find better ways to help those who are struggling with these symptoms.
-
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.
-
Blood-based markers to identify lung cancer risk in never-smokers
A researchers team at NYU School of Medicine is testing blood tests that might flag higher lung cancer risk in people who have never smoked, helping decide who might need screening.
-
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.
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.