Understanding cancer cachexia and its drivers to improve quality of life for patients
Official title: CANCAN - ROCHESTER
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-11539623 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at the University of Rochester is studying why cancer patients lose weight and muscle and how this worsens outcomes, with the goal of finding new ways to help patients feel better and stay stronger.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | June 22, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $597,387 |
| NIH project number | 3OT2CA278664-01S4 |
| Project ID | NIH-11539623 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancer who experience or are at risk of cachexia and related metabolic wasting.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancer or without cachexia symptoms may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project brings together scientists and clinicians to explore why cancer cachexia happens, focusing on tumor signals that may trigger appetite loss and tissue wasting. They will use advanced methods to study how the body's metabolism changes in response to cancer, including animal models and clinical phenotyping. The aim is to identify upstream drivers so future therapies can target the root causes and improve treatment tolerance and survival for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new treatments that prevent or lessen cachexia, potentially improving chemotherapy tolerance and overall survival for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has advanced understanding of atrophy pathways, but identifying upstream mediators and effective therapies remains challenging and ongoing.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mustian, Karen M. — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Mustian, Karen M.
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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.