Stopping an enzyme called Transglutaminase 2 to prevent cancer-related muscle loss
Official title: Targeting Transglutaminase 2 in cancer cachexia
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11467747 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $71,303 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA251405-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11467747 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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).
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atfi, Azeddine — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Atfi, Azeddine
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.
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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.
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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.
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Antibody approaches to prevent weight and muscle loss in pancreatic cancer
Trying antibody-based therapies to stop or reduce muscle wasting and weight loss in 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.