Metabolic vulnerability in pancreatic cancer cachexia linked to fat metabolism
Official title: Metabolic vulnerability due to dysregulated lipid metabolism in PDAC cachexia
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11404966 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores why people with pancreatic cancer lose weight and fat tissue and how fat metabolism affects their health and recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $377,780 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA280692-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404966 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with pancreatic cancer who experience or are at risk for cachexia may be eligible to contribute tissue samples or participate in related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cachexia or pancreatic cancer may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
Cachexia is a serious weight and muscle loss seen in pancreatic cancer patients, and this project looks at how fat stores are used during illness. The researchers will use genetic and metabolomic approaches plus patient tissue samples to understand why lipid metabolism goes awry in cachexia. By studying how adipose tissue, liver, and muscle interact, they hope to identify new targets to prevent or lessen wasting and improve treatment outcomes. The work aims to create knowledge that could eventually guide therapies to improve quality of life for patients facing PDAC-related cachexia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to new approaches to prevent or treat cachexia in pancreatic cancer, potentially improving survival and daily functioning.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests lipid metabolism plays a role in cancer-related cachexia, but this project seeks deeper mechanistic insights that are still being established.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grossberg, Aaron — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Grossberg, Aaron
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting Perp in pancreatic cancer and its muscle wasting
This NIH grant explores a gene called Perp as a potential target to slow pancreatic cancer growth and reduce cachexia in patients.
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Blocking Perp to slow pancreatic cancer and cancer-related muscle wasting
This project will test whether lowering a protein called Perp can shrink pancreatic tumors and help people with pancreatic cancer who are losing weight and muscle.
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Imaging and targeted nanoparticle therapy for pancreatic cancer-related weight loss
Using advanced imaging and nanoparticles that deliver gene-silencing medicine to try to stop or reverse severe weight loss in people with pancreatic cancer.
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Why pancreatic cancer causes rapid fat and muscle loss
This project tests whether abnormal fat burning in people with pancreatic cancer causes the severe weight and muscle loss called cachexia and whether fixing that metabolism could help patients.
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Investigating ways to reverse weight loss caused by pancreatic cancer.
This study is looking at ways to help people with pancreatic cancer who are experiencing severe weight loss by using special techniques to target and change how their bodies process certain nutrients, with the hope of improving their health and well-being.
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Targeting a specific protein to improve outcomes in pancreatic cancer and related muscle loss
This study is looking at how a protein called Perp affects pancreatic cancer and the weight loss that often comes with it, hoping to find ways to slow down the cancer and help patients feel better, especially those with a specific gene mutation.
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.