Multimodal treatment and molecular determinants of cachexia in PDAC (P09)

• Subject Area: Gastroenterology
• Term: from 2018 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 329628492

In the first funding period, we identified a tumor-secreted mediator of PDAC-associated body weight loss (cancer cachexia). Knockdown of the cachexia mediator ADAMTSL4 in tumor cells markedly reduced cachexia development, particularly muscle atrophy. We will further characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying the cachexia-inducing properties of ADAMTSL4 and of different PDAC cell lines. Importantly, we will test a novel multimodal cachexia treatment approach in mice, including ADAMTSL4 inhibition. Translation of an efficient cachexia treatment to humans might improve quality of life, anti-cancer therapy efficiency and survival of patients with PDAC.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1321: Modelling and Targeting Pancreatic Cancer
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Project Heads: Dr. Mauricio Berriel Diaz; Professor Dr. Stephan Herzig