Understanding how cancer causes fat loss to find new treatments for cachexia
Official title: Identifying the Cellular and Molecular Targets of JAK/STAT-Driven Adipose Wasting to Reverse Cancer Cachexia
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10914804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why cancer causes weight loss and muscle wasting in patients, using mice to understand how cancer affects fat and inflammation, with hopes of finding new ways to help people who are struggling with this tough condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $500,620 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA266900-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients experiencing cachexia or significant weight loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing cachexia or those with early-stage cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind cancer cachexia, a condition that leads to significant weight loss and muscle wasting in cancer patients. By using mouse models, the study aims to identify how cancer influences fat loss and the role of specific inflammatory signals in this process. The researchers are developing assays to test how these signals affect fat cells, with the goal of discovering new therapeutic targets that could help reverse cachexia in patients. This work is crucial as there are currently no FDA-approved treatments for this debilitating condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help cancer patients maintain their weight and improve their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in targeting inflammatory pathways to address cachexia, but this specific approach is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Infante, Rodney E — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Infante, Rodney E
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.