New treatment approach for cancer-related muscle loss
Novel Nanomedicine-Based Therapeutic Approach For Treatment of Cancer Cachexia
This study is testing a new mRNA treatment designed to help cancer patients who are losing muscle mass due to cachexia, by delivering a special message to their cancer cells to help preserve their muscle and improve their overall well-being, especially when used alongside regular chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Corvallis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11101117 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel mRNA therapy to combat cancer cachexia, a condition that leads to severe muscle wasting in cancer patients. The therapy utilizes lipid nanoparticles to deliver follistatin mRNA directly to cancer cells, which helps to reduce harmful levels of activin A associated with aggressive cancers. By preserving muscle mass and potentially improving survival rates, this treatment aims to enhance the quality of life for patients suffering from cachexia. The research will also explore the therapy's effectiveness in combination with traditional chemotherapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients experiencing cachexia, particularly those with metastatic ovarian cancer or head and neck cancers.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have cancer or are not experiencing cachexia may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the management of muscle loss in cancer patients, enhancing their overall health and treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with mRNA therapies in cancer treatment, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Corvallis, United States
- Oregon State University — Corvallis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taratula, Oleh — Oregon State University
- Study coordinator: Taratula, Oleh
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 below.