Using senolytics to improve exercise response in mice with muscle loss from cancer
Official title: Utilizing senolytics to enhance the response to exercise in cachectic mice
Funded at Baylor University · NIH-10986820 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how special compounds that help get rid of old, damaged cells can make exercise more effective for mice with cancer-related muscle loss, and it hopes to find ways to help cancer survivors keep their strength and health after treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Waco, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $215,600 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR083023-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986820 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer survivors who are experiencing muscle loss due to chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not cancer survivors or those who do not experience muscle loss as a result of their treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how senolytic compounds, which target and eliminate senescent cells, can enhance the effectiveness of exercise in mice suffering from cancer cachexia, a condition characterized by severe muscle loss. The study aims to understand the relationship between chemotherapy-induced muscle atrophy and the accumulation of senescent cells in muscle tissue. By combining exercise training with senolytics, the researchers hope to mitigate muscle loss and improve overall physical function and metabolic health in these mice. This approach could provide insights into potential therapies for cancer survivors experiencing similar issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help cancer survivors maintain muscle mass and improve their quality of life during and after treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using senolytics to improve health outcomes in aging and muscle loss, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor University
Waco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dungan, Cory — Baylor University
- Study coordinator: Dungan, Cory
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Waixenicin A-based therapy for newborn brain injury
A new drug-target approach aims to protect babies’ brains after oxygen deprivation at birth.
-
HOPE-inG: Increasing cervical cancer screening for women with HIV in Ghana
A study tests a home-based HPV self-sampling approach plus a tailored communication plan to help women living with HIV in Ghana get screened more often for cervical cancer.
-
Genetic, Social, and Environmental Factors Shaping Early Cannabis Use in Youth
A study with young people will look at how genes, surroundings, and behavior come together to predict who might start using cannabis early and how to prevent it.
-
Understanding how MCM8/9 helps fix DNA replication when it stalls in cancer
A study in cancer biology scientists are exploring how the MCM8/9 proteins help protect and repair DNA during cell division, which could reveal new ways to combat cancer and aging.
-
Satellite cells help kids' muscles grow during cancer treatment
A pediatric cancer research grant tests if boosting muscle stem cells can prevent growth delays caused by standard chemotherapy in children.
-
Indole compounds from gut bacteria to help gut health and fight harmful bacteria
A family of tiny gut bugs may produce indole chemicals that help the gut barrier and reduce a harmful bacteria called Fusobacterium nucleatum, potentially lowering oral and colorectal disease risk.
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.