Matricellular proteins as drivers of cancer-related wasting
Official title: Matricellular proteins of the CNN family as regulators of tumor-induced cachexia
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11384624 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer-focused study is exploring how a specific protein (CTGF/CCN2) may cause muscle and body wasting in pancreatic cancer patients, with the aim of shaping new treatments.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $536,535 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA270025-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384624 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic cancer or other cancers prone to cachexia may benefit from future therapies arising from this work.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage research may not immediately benefit patients; results may take time to translate into therapies.
What this research studies
This project investigates how CTGF, a protein produced by tumors, contributes to cachexia in pancreatic cancer. Researchers plan to use mouse models and laboratory analyses to understand the mechanisms and identify potential ways to block the wasting process. The work could point toward therapies that protect muscle and improve cancer treatment tolerance for affected patients. The team is exploring whether targeting CTGF can reduce cachexia without solely slowing tumor growth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to treatments that preserve muscle and improve quality of life for people with pancreatic cancer and other cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies have shown that targeting CTGF can reduce cachexia-like wasting in models, supporting further exploration.
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.
-
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.