Investigating how certain proteins affect muscle loss in cancer patients
Official title: Matricellular proteins of the CNN family as regulators of tumor-induced cachexia
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10923797 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein made by pancreatic cancer cells might cause muscle loss in cancer patients, and it's testing whether blocking this protein could help improve health and treatment outcomes for those dealing with this issue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $458,823 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA270025-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923797 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients, particularly those diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are experiencing or at risk of cachexia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancer-related muscle loss or those not diagnosed with pancreatic cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding cancer-associated cachexia, a condition where cancer patients involuntarily lose muscle mass, which can worsen their treatment outcomes and survival rates. The study examines the role of a specific protein, CCN2, produced by pancreatic cancer cells, in promoting this muscle loss. By using mouse models, researchers aim to determine how targeting this protein can potentially inhibit cachexia and improve patient health. The findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies for managing cachexia in cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective therapies that preserve or reverse muscle loss in cancer patients, improving their treatment tolerance and survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar pathways for cachexia management, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Judge, Sarah M — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Judge, Sarah M
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.