Stopping an enzyme called Transglutaminase 2 to prevent cancer-related muscle loss
Targeting Transglutaminase 2 in cancer cachexia
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11467747 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one have pancreatic cancer and are losing weight and muscle, this research focuses on why that happens. Scientists use genetic mouse models of pancreatic cancer to study muscle changes and found that a protein called Twist1 becomes overactive and that the enzyme Transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) chemically alters muscle proteins during cachexia. Turning off Twist1 or blocking TGM2 in mice reduced muscle wasting and improved survival, and researchers are testing drugs that could do the same. If those approaches are safe and effective in further studies, they could lead to clinical trials for patients with cancer-related muscle loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for future trials would be people with pancreatic cancer (or other cancers) who are developing or have significant cancer-associated muscle loss (cachexia).
Not a fit: Patients without cancer-related muscle wasting, whose weight loss is due to other causes, or who are too frail or medically ineligible for experimental treatments may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that slow or reverse cancer-related muscle wasting, improving strength, daily function, quality of life, and possibly survival.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal studies that targeted Twist1 have reversed muscle wasting in mice, but targeting TGM2 is a newer approach and has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atfi, Azeddine — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Atfi, Azeddine
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.