Investigating how platelets contribute to muscle loss in cancer cachexia
Official title: The Role of Platelets in Cancer Cachexia
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-11049188 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain blood cells called platelets might affect weight loss and muscle loss in people with cancer, with the hope of finding new treatments to help those dealing with this tough condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | March 5, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $152,496 |
| NIH project number | 5R21CA289464-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11049188 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients experiencing symptoms of cachexia, particularly those with significant weight loss and muscle wasting.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with cancer or who do not exhibit symptoms of cachexia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding cancer cachexia, a condition that leads to significant weight loss and muscle wasting in cancer patients. The study will explore the role of platelets, which are blood cells involved in inflammation, in the development of this syndrome. Researchers will deplete platelets in animal models to observe the effects on inflammation and muscle loss, and will also examine how activated platelets may contribute to these processes. The goal is to uncover new insights that could lead to targeted therapies for patients suffering from cancer cachexia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help prevent or reduce muscle loss in cancer patients, improving their quality of life and treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of platelets in cancer cachexia is an emerging area of research, preliminary data suggest that targeting platelets may offer a novel approach to managing this condition.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Velazquez, Kandy T — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Velazquez, Kandy T
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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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.
-
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.
-
Stopping an enzyme called Transglutaminase 2 to prevent cancer-related muscle loss
This work explores whether blocking an enzyme called Transglutaminase 2 can stop or reverse the severe muscle wasting that often affects people with pancreatic cancer.
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How the liver's ketone production affects muscle loss and recovery in pancreatic cancer
This project looks at whether helping the liver make ketones can prevent muscle wasting and aid recovery for people with pancreatic cancer.
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.