Proteins called CCN/CTGF that may drive cancer-related muscle and weight loss
Official title: Matricellular proteins of the CNN family as regulators of tumor-induced cachexia
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11176299 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at whether blocking a tumor-made protein called CTGF can stop or reverse muscle and weight loss in people with pancreatic cancer.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $505,294 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA270025-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11176299 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are experiencing or at high risk for tumor-related weight and muscle loss would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose weight loss is not caused by tumor-driven cachexia—or whose cancers do not produce CTGF—are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
The researchers focus on a protein called CTGF produced by pancreatic tumors that may trigger the muscle wasting known as cachexia. They will use laboratory and animal models to block CTGF genetically or with drugs and measure effects on muscle, fat, and blood signals tied to wasting. The team will compare how different ways of targeting CTGF change the course of cachexia while accounting for tumor growth. Their goal is to identify approaches that could be developed into treatments for patients in future clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to treatments that prevent or reverse cancer-related muscle and weight loss and help patients tolerate cancer therapy better.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary animal studies from this group showed that blocking CTGF reduced cachexia in mouse models, but the approach remains experimental and unproven in people.
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.
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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.