How obesity affects cancer-related weight loss and muscle loss
Official title: Microbiome-Mitochondrial Interactions Driving Cancer-Induced Cachexia in the Obese State
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-10990267 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how being overweight might affect muscle loss in cancer patients and is exploring the role of gut bacteria and cell energy problems in this process, with the hope of finding better ways to help those who are struggling with this issue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $40,199 |
| NIH project number | 1F99CA294251-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990267 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who are overweight or obese and experiencing symptoms of cachexia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not overweight or obese and do not exhibit signs of cachexia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between obesity and cancer-induced cachexia, which is the unintentional loss of muscle mass that can occur in cancer patients. It aims to explore how mitochondrial dysfunction and changes in gut bacteria may contribute to this condition, particularly in overweight or obese individuals. By examining these interactions, the research seeks to uncover potential mechanisms that could lead to better treatment outcomes for patients experiencing cachexia. The study will involve analyzing microbial and metabolic changes in patients to understand their impact on muscle loss.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for managing cachexia in obese cancer patients, enhancing their quality of life and treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the interplay between obesity and cachexia is a relatively novel area of investigation, preliminary evidence suggests that understanding these interactions could lead to significant advancements in treatment approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cardaci, Thomas — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Cardaci, Thomas
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.