Targeting muscle fatigue in breast cancer patients
Official title: Targeting Muscle Fatigability During Cachexia
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11330244 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice and lab models explores ways to prevent muscle fatigue in people with breast cancer using a treatment that affects how mitochondria produce energy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | June 3, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $317,680 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR079445-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330244 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with breast cancer experiencing muscle fatigue could benefit from future translation of these findings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without breast cancer–related fatigue or those not considering mitochondrial-targeted approaches may not benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
This project uses breast cancer mouse models and simple lab systems to understand why muscle fatigue happens and to find targets that could reduce it. Researchers will examine how breast tumors alter muscle energy production, especially in the mitochondria, and whether a PPARγ-activating treatment can lessen fatigue. The work includes testing mitochondrial function and ATP production, plus exploring how tumor signals might change muscle regulation. If successful, the findings could point to new approaches to help patients stay active during treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to therapies that reduce fatigue in breast cancer patients, helping them tolerate treatment better and maintain quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in cancer-related muscle fatigue have shown that targeting energy production can affect fatigue levels, suggesting potential for similar strategies in breast cancer.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pistilli, Emidio Edward — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Pistilli, Emidio Edward
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.