Understanding how muscle growth affects cancer cachexia
Official title: Reverse engineering cancer cachexia: muscle ribosome biogenesis in the etiology of cachexia
Funded at Oakland University · NIH-10796455 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how muscle mass affects weight loss in cancer patients and whether boosting the production of ribosomes in muscle cells can help keep their muscles strong and improve their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oakland University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $429,048 |
| NIH project number | 1R15AR083675-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10796455 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult cancer patients who are experiencing muscle loss due to cachexia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with cancer or those who do not exhibit symptoms of cachexia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of skeletal muscle mass in cancer cachexia, a condition that leads to severe weight loss and poor prognosis in cancer patients. The study aims to explore how ribosome biogenesis, the process of creating ribosomes in muscle cells, influences muscle mass and its impact on survival rates among cancer patients. By using a specially designed mouse model, researchers will examine how manipulating ribosome production can help maintain muscle mass and potentially improve health outcomes for those suffering from cancer cachexia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that enhance muscle mass and improve survival rates in cancer patients experiencing cachexia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in enhancing muscle mass through ribosome biogenesis manipulation, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Oakland University
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Figueiredo, Vandre Casagrande — Oakland University
- Study coordinator: Figueiredo, Vandre Casagrande
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.