Understanding how liver metabolism affects weight loss in pancreatic cancer patients
Official title: Hepatic metabolic reprogramming drives pancreatic cancer cachexia
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-10884334 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pancreatic cancer causes severe weight loss and is trying to find ways to change liver function to help patients keep their weight and feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $200,031 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA245188-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884334 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who are experiencing significant weight loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with pancreatic cancer who are not experiencing cachexia or those with other unrelated conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the severe weight loss known as cachexia that affects patients with pancreatic cancer. It focuses on how pancreatic cancer alters liver metabolism, which plays a crucial role in the body's response to nutrients. The study aims to modify liver activity to see if it can reduce tissue wasting and improve patient outcomes. By examining both animal models and human samples, the research seeks to uncover the underlying mechanisms of this condition and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that alleviate cachexia and improve the quality of life for pancreatic cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: While cachexia is a well-known complication of cancer, this specific approach to understanding liver metabolism in pancreatic cancer cachexia is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grossberg, Aaron — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Grossberg, Aaron
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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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Understanding how liver metabolism affects muscle loss in pancreatic cancer patients
This study is looking at how liver function affects weight loss and muscle wasting in people with pancreatic cancer, hoping to find new ways to help improve their health and quality of life.
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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.
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.