Clinical Research Directory

Study on the Pathogenesis and Reversal Strategies of Cancer Cachexia Based on Multi-Omics

Cancer cachexia is a complex systemic metabolic syndrome with high incidence and mortality rates, significantly impacting the prognosis and survival of cancer patients.Current clinical comprehensive intervention approaches can only provide transient symptom relief and fail to fundamentally block or reverse muscle and fat loss. The core challenge lies in the extreme complexity of this pathological mechanism and the lack of early biomarkers.To overcome the limitations of traditional single-dimensional research approaches, this study proposes a combined analysis method utilizing "multi-omics" (imaging omics, pathological omics, metabolomics, and metagenomics) to construct a panoramic systemic model spanning macroscopic clinical manifestations and microscopic molecular processes. The aim is to comprehensively elucidate the pathogenesis and metabolic pathways of cachexia, thereby precisely identifying potential therapeutic targets capable of reversing this pathological process.

Body Composition in Older Adults

The primary aim of the study is to explore body composition in older adults (aged 70 years and over) with cancer, undergoing systemic anticancer treatment. Additional aims include to explore the extent of body composition changes and whether changes are tumour specific, the incidence for cancer-related cachexia and sarcopenia and finally, how body composition can inform nutritional management of older adults with cancer. To do this, the investigators applied for and were awarded funding from a company called Nutricia to pay for a band 4 (0.6 WTE for 7 months) to take monthly body composition measures on the patients who are eligible, accepting of assessment by the Senior Adult Oncology Programme (SAOP) and consent to these measures. Measurements will include an analysis from the Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) machine which will quantify fat, lean muscle, and water content; waist to hip ratio; handgrip strength; calf circumferences. Socio-demographic data will also be collected. Descriptive data analysis will take place to explore possible trends and associations which may inform future research and drive even further personalised care for this growing and typically underrepresented in research, population.