Possible molecular targets to help patients with cancer cachexia

28.02.2022

Results published in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle entitled Activation of Akt –mTORC1 signaling reverts cancer-dependent muscle wasting offers a possible molecular target to help cachexia cancer patients regain muscle mass and strength.

The study, supported by the AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research, investigated an intracellular signaling pathway called Akt-mTOR, known for its role in maintaining the functional balance of the muscle.

Prof Blaauw explains, “thisis a pathway that, when activated, regulates muscle mass and function but the role this signaling pathway plays in other cancers is currently not known. While used as a possible target of numerous anticancer drugs, this pathway leads an increase in muscle wasting”, explain. "Our research aims to determine how activation or inactivation of the pathway affects skeletal muscle during cancer cachexiahttp".