Understanding how the environment affects weight loss in pancreatic cancer patients
Official title: The role of the macroenvironment in pancreatic cancer-induced cachexia
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-10898562 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some cancer patients, especially those with pancreatic cancer, experience severe weight loss and aims to find new ways to help them feel better and maintain their weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,967,038 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA236778-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10898562 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 other types of cancer or those not experiencing cachexia may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to explore the mechanisms behind cachexia, a severe weight loss condition affecting many cancer patients, particularly those with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The project investigates how the tumor's environment influences weight loss and overall health, focusing on specific biological pathways involved in this process. By examining the NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 signaling axis, the research seeks to identify potential therapeutic targets that could improve treatment outcomes and quality of life for patients suffering from cachexia. The findings could lead to new strategies for managing weight loss in cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for cachexia, enhancing the quality of life and survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding cachexia in cancer patients, but this specific approach focusing on the macroenvironment is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Guttridge, Denis C — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Guttridge, Denis C
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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Stopping muscle wasting in pancreatic cancer-related cachexia
Testing ways to block a cell-signaling pathway to help people with pancreatic cancer who are losing muscle and weight.
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How the body's environment drives weight and muscle loss in pancreatic cancer
Seeing if targeting inflammatory signals around pancreatic tumors can reduce severe weight and muscle loss in 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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Understanding how cancer affects muscle loss and weight in patients
This study is looking into why some cancer patients, especially those with pancreatic cancer, lose a lot of weight and how we can find better ways to help them manage this issue, so if you join, you could help us learn more about improving health during treatment.
-
Understanding how liver metabolism affects weight loss in pancreatic cancer patients
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.
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.