Investigating how unacylated ghrelin affects muscle weakness in aging and cancer.
Official title: The role of unacylated ghrelin in age-associated progressive muscle weakness and cachexia elicited by cancer.
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11017108 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a hormone called unacylated ghrelin can help older adults and cancer patients keep their muscles strong and prevent muscle loss, with the hope of finding a new way to support those dealing with muscle weakness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2020 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $92,466 |
| NIH project number | 3R00AG064143-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017108 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults experiencing muscle weakness or cancer patients suffering from cachexia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing muscle weakness or do not have cancer-related cachexia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the effects of unacylated ghrelin, a hormone, on muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass associated with aging and cancer cachexia. The study aims to determine if this hormone can help delay muscle deterioration in older adults and cancer patients. By examining how unacylated ghrelin influences muscle cells, researchers hope to find a new treatment option for those suffering from muscle atrophy. The approach includes laboratory experiments to assess muscle cell behavior in response to this hormone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve muscle strength and quality of life for older adults and cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar hormonal interventions in muscle atrophy, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahn, Bumsoo — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ahn, Bumsoo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Investigating how unacylated ghrelin affects muscle weakness and loss in aging and cancer patients
This study is looking at how a hormone called unacylated ghrelin might help older adults and cancer patients keep their muscles strong and healthy, which could improve their overall quality of life.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
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.