Project R-12781

Tackling cachexia in colorectal cancer patients by unraveling the underlying mechanisms responsible for the loss of skeletal muscle tissue and fat tissue. (Research)

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in developed countries. In advances colorectal cancer, 60% of these patients develop cachexia. Cachexia is characterized by involuntary weight loss with loss of skeletal muscle mass with or without the loss of fat mass. The aim of this project is to study the underlying mechanisms of cachexia. This will be done by taking skeletal muscle biopsy samples from cachectic colorectal cancer patients. Furthermore, the characteristics of both the back muscle (m. erector spinae) and the leg muscle (m. vastus lateralis) will be studied. Differences in muscle fibers and the number of muscle cell nuclei between cachectic colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls will be examined. Research into the underlying mechanisms of cancer cachexia can provide a better insight into patient-specific intervention options.

01 October 2021 - 05 March 2026