Anorexia Cachexia Syndrome - Linking Molecular Mechanisms with Novel Treatment Options
| Period from: | 2008-10-01 to 2010-09-30 |
| Principal Investigators: | Drs. Jerry Pelletier, Bruno Gagnon, and Neil MacDonald |
| Co-Investigators: | Martin Chasen; Thomas Jagoe; Michel Tremblay; Imed Gallouzi; Simon Wing; Robert Nadon; Nancy Mayo |
| Institution: | McGill University |
| Department: | Biochemistry |
| Program: | Research Project |
| Abstract: |
Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome (ACS) is a major symptomatic problem in cancer. It is defined as "a wasting syndrome involving loss of muscle and fat directly caused by tumor factors, or indirectly caused by an abherrant host response to tumor presence."
Approximately 10- 30% of cancer deaths are directly attributable to severe wasting. Aside from mortality, ACS has a heavy impact on patient-family quality of life. The concomitant decrease in function causes great personal and family distress. ACS leads to dependency on family members and health care institutions, increasing the burden of health care costs on both the family and the state. The lack of consistent assessment and recording of clinical features of ACS, along with the paucity of human biological specimens, have hindered our understanding into the pathophysiology of ACS.
Herein, we propose an integrated study and research program that bridges clinical, pre-clinical, and translational research themes. We have recently identified a mechanism-based, pre-clinical mouse cancer model which displays several features of ACS and is particularly attractive for the study of ACS. The characterization of this new pre-clinical ACS model is a major goal of this research program. Other specific aims of the current project are a) to identify immunomodulatory factors in the host and tumor and their action on the skeletal muscle and b) to identify specific genetic lesions responsible for ACS development and drug response. If ACS can be effectively managed at an early stage, a significant portion of cancer patients would obtain important benefits, including a direct improvement in quality and length of life.
|
| Funding Information: | |
| 2008-2009 | $288,759 |
| 2009-2010 | $587,716 |
| 2010-2011 | $619,335 |
| 2011-2012 | $320,378 |
| 2012-2013 | |
| 2013-2014 | |
| TOTAL | $1,816,188 |
|
 |
