Examining muscle characteristics in colorectal cancer patients with cachexia

Structural Characteristics of Trunk and Limb Muscles in Cachectic Colorectal Cancer Patients

Hasselt University · NCT06780423

This study looks at the muscles of colorectal cancer patients with and without cachexia to see how they differ from healthy people.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorHasselt University (other)
Locations2 sites (Diepenbeek, Limburg and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06780423 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to assess the structural characteristics of trunk and limb muscles in cachectic colorectal cancer patients compared to non-cachectic patients and healthy controls. The study will involve taking minimal invasive fine needle muscle biopsies from the m. erector spinae and m. vastus lateralis muscles. A total of 60 participants will be recruited, including 10 cachectic patients, 25 non-cachectic patients, and 25 healthy controls, with measurements taken at a single time point to evaluate muscle characteristics and their implications in cancer cachexia.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with cachexia associated with colorectal cancer.

Not a fit: Patients with mental or psychological conditions, muscle diseases affecting the spine and lower limbs, or those who are bedridden may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance understanding of muscle deterioration in cachectic colorectal cancer patients, potentially leading to improved management strategies.

How similar studies have performed: While studies on cachexia and muscle characteristics exist, this specific approach of comparing muscle biopsies across different patient groups is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Cachectic colorectal cancer patients.

Inclusion criteria:

* minimum age of 18 years old
* unwanted weight loss \> 5% in the last 6 months OR \> 2% unwanted weight loss in combination with a BMI \< 20kg/m2 OR \>2% unwanted weight loss in combination with sarcopenia
* Cachexia staging score (CSS): 5-12

Exclusion Criteria:

* Mental of psychological condition
* Insufficient knowledge of the Dutch language
* Muscle diseases affecting the spine and lower limbs
* Bedridden

Non-Cachectic cancer patients.

Inclusion criteria:

* minimum age of 18 years old
* No unwanted weight loss \> 5% in the last 6 months OR \> 2% unwanted weight loss in combination with a BMI \< 20kg/m2 OR \>2% unwanted weight loss in combination with sarcopenia
* Cachexia staging score (CSS): 0-2

Exclusion criteria:

* Mental of psychological condition
* Insufficient knowledge of the Dutch language
* Muscle diseases affecting the spine and lower limbs
* Bedridden

Healthy controls.

Inclusion criteria:

\- minimum age of 18 years old

Exclusion criteria:

* Mental of psychological condition
* Insufficient knowledge of the Dutch language
* Muscle diseases affecting the spine and lower limbs
* Bedridden

Where this trial is running

Diepenbeek, Limburg and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer Cachexia, colorectal cancer, cachexia, skeletal muscle, skeletal muscle fibers, capillarization

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.