Understanding weight loss in lung cancer patients
Official title: Investigating cancer-associated cachexia in genetic subtypes of lung cancer
Funded at New York University School of Medicine · NIH-11093312 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why people with lung cancer sometimes lose weight and muscle without trying, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve their health and well-being by understanding the changes happening in their bodies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 13, 2024 |
| Project end | May 12, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $49,068 |
| NIH project number | 5F30CA284910-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093312 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are lung cancer patients experiencing involuntary weight loss and muscle wasting.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with lung cancer who are not experiencing cachexia or significant weight loss may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates cancer-associated cachexia, a condition where patients with lung cancer involuntarily lose muscle and fat. It aims to understand the metabolic changes that contribute to this weight loss and how different genetic subtypes of lung cancer may affect this process. By studying these mechanisms, the research seeks to identify potential new treatments that could improve the quality of life for patients suffering from cachexia. The approach includes analyzing metabolic alterations and inflammatory factors that drive this syndrome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to effective treatments for cancer-associated cachexia, improving survival and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding cachexia in cancer patients, but this specific approach focusing on genetic subtypes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University School of Medicine
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cross, Michael — New York University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Cross, Michael
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How cancer-related weight loss might change antibody recycling and affect anti–PD-1 therapy for lung cancer
Researchers are checking whether cancer-related weight loss changes how the body handles antibody drugs and makes anti–PD-1 treatments work less well for people with lung cancer.
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How cachexia affects lung cancer treatment with immune therapy
This study is looking at how severe weight loss and muscle loss, known as cachexia, affects the success of a lung cancer treatment called anti-PD1 therapy, to help find ways to make this treatment work better for patients dealing with both lung cancer and cachexia.
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Creating a mouse model to understand and treat lung cancer-related weight loss
This study is creating a special type of mouse to help us understand the weight loss and muscle loss that lung cancer patients experience, so we can find better ways to help those who are struggling with these symptoms.
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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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Blood-based markers to identify lung cancer risk in never-smokers
A researchers team at NYU School of Medicine is testing blood tests that might flag higher lung cancer risk in people who have never smoked, helping decide who might need screening.
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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.
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.