Understanding and addressing cancer cachexia
Official title: CANcer Cachexia Action Network/CANCAN
Funded at University College London · NIH-10627283 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into cancer cachexia, a tough condition that causes weight loss and muscle loss in many cancer patients, to understand how tumors affect the body's metabolism, with the hope of finding better treatments to help improve patients' lives.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University College London NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (London, United Kingdom) |
| Project start | September 8, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $217,311 |
| NIH project number | 1OT2CA278701-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10627283 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients experiencing significant weight loss and muscle wasting due to their illness.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently diagnosed with cancer or who do not exhibit symptoms of cachexia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on cancer cachexia, a serious condition affecting around 80% of cancer patients, characterized by significant weight loss and muscle wasting. The project aims to uncover the underlying mechanisms driving this syndrome by studying the interactions between tumors and the body's metabolism. A diverse team of international experts will utilize advanced techniques to analyze metabolic changes and identify potential therapeutic targets. The goal is to develop effective treatments that can improve patients' quality of life and treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective therapies for cancer cachexia, improving survival and quality of life for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been extensive research on cancer cachexia, this approach aims to fill critical gaps in understanding and has the potential to lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
University College London
London, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jamal-Hanjani, Mariam — University College London
- Study coordinator: Jamal-Hanjani, Mariam
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.
-
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.
-
Stopping an enzyme called Transglutaminase 2 to prevent cancer-related muscle loss
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.
-
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.
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.