Metabolic drivers of cancer cachexia–related heart weakness
Official title: Identifying metabolic drivers of cancer cachexia-associated cardiomyopathy
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-11359804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice explores how metabolism in the heart is affected by cancer cachexia and tests a mitochondrial stabilizing treatment to protect heart function.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $562,494 |
| NIH project number | 1R15HL179650-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11359804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with cancer cachexia in the future where therapies targeting heart metabolism could be beneficial (human patients would be considered in later translational steps).
✕Less likely to help
This study uses mouse models and may not directly benefit current patients with cancer cachexia.
What this research studies
Cancer cachexia causes severe weight loss and weak muscles, and it often harms the heart in affected patients. This project uses mouse models of cancer cachexia to look at how mitochondrial problems in heart cells contribute to heart weakness. The researchers will compare mice with tumors to those without and test a drug called SS-31 to see if stabilizing mitochondria helps keep heart energy and function intact. The goal is to uncover targets that could lead to new therapies to protect the heart in people with cancer cachexia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify treatments that preserve heart function in patients with cancer cachexia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests mitochondrial health is linked to heart function in cachexia, but direct targets in CC cardiomyopathy are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Law, Michelle Lynn — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Law, Michelle Lynn
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.
-
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.