Investigating how tumors cause muscle wasting in fruit flies
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-10928229 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how muscle wasting happens in cancer patients by using fruit flies to understand what goes wrong with muscle proteins, which could help find ways to spot and treat this issue earlier.
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 | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $171,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM150753-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928229 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research are cancer patients experiencing or at risk of cachexia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancer-related muscle wasting conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the mechanisms behind muscle cachexia, a severe condition often seen in cancer patients, using a fruit fly model. The team will examine how defects in Myosin Heavy Chain production and localization contribute to this condition, particularly during tumor development. By utilizing advanced imaging techniques and genetic manipulation, the researchers aim to identify early changes that lead to cachexia, which could help in developing earlier diagnostics and interventions for patients. The study also emphasizes the involvement of undergraduate researchers, promoting diversity in scientific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnostics and potential interventions to prevent muscle wasting in cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach using Drosophila models is established, the specific focus on Myosin Heavy Chain defects in relation to cachexia is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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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.