Why pancreatic cancer causes rapid fat and muscle loss
Metabolic vulnerability due to dysregulated lipid metabolism in PDAC cachexia
This project tests whether abnormal fat burning in people with pancreatic cancer causes the severe weight and muscle loss called cachexia and whether fixing that metabolism could help patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178485 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers want to understand why people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often lose a lot of fat and muscle that does not respond to extra calories. They will use patient tissue samples together with genetic and metabolomic lab tests to see how tumors change the body's use of fat and how the liver and muscles react. The team combines lab models and a unique patient tissue resource to map the metabolic steps that lead to wasting. Results should identify metabolic targets that could be tested in future treatments to protect body weight and strength.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who can provide tissue samples or take part in metabolic studies at the recruiting center.
Not a fit: People without pancreatic cancer or whose weight loss stems from non-cancer causes would not be expected to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or slow the severe weight and muscle loss many people with pancreatic cancer experience.
How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have linked altered metabolism to cancer-related wasting, but no proven treatments yet exist, so this approach extends promising but still novel science.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grossberg, Aaron — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Grossberg, Aaron
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 below.