Why pancreatic cancer causes rapid fat and muscle loss
Official title: Metabolic vulnerability due to dysregulated lipid metabolism in PDAC cachexia
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11178485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $377,780 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA280692-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who can provide tissue samples or take part in metabolic studies at the recruiting center.
✕Less likely to help
People without pancreatic cancer or whose weight loss stems from non-cancer causes would not be expected to benefit directly from this project.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grossberg, Aaron — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Grossberg, Aaron
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Metabolic vulnerability in pancreatic cancer cachexia linked to fat metabolism
This grant explores why people with pancreatic cancer lose weight and fat tissue and how fat metabolism affects their health and recovery.
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Targeting Perp in pancreatic cancer and its muscle wasting
This NIH grant explores a gene called Perp as a potential target to slow pancreatic cancer growth and reduce cachexia in patients.
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Blocking Perp to slow pancreatic cancer and cancer-related muscle wasting
This project will test whether lowering a protein called Perp can shrink pancreatic tumors and help people with pancreatic cancer who are losing weight and muscle.
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Imaging and targeted nanoparticle therapy for pancreatic cancer-related weight loss
Using advanced imaging and nanoparticles that deliver gene-silencing medicine to try to stop or reverse severe weight loss in people with pancreatic cancer.
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Investigating ways to reverse weight loss caused by pancreatic cancer.
This study is looking at ways to help people with pancreatic cancer who are experiencing severe weight loss by using special techniques to target and change how their bodies process certain nutrients, with the hope of improving their health and well-being.
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Targeting a specific protein to improve outcomes in pancreatic cancer and related muscle loss
This study is looking at how a protein called Perp affects pancreatic cancer and the weight loss that often comes with it, hoping to find ways to slow down the cancer and help patients feel better, especially those with a specific gene mutation.
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.