Cancer cachexia is a wasting disease associated with a decline in skeletal muscle mass and function. Approximately 60% to 80% of people with advanced cancer exhibit this comorbidity that is linked to increased mortality, disease morbidity, chemotherapeutic and surgical outcome, and quality of life. We study how tumors disrupt organismal homeostasis to promote muscle wasting.
Ongoing projects include studies to identify: 1) tumor-derived cytokines and metabolites, 2) immune cell contributions to regeneration defects, 3) the muscle stem cell response to wasting factors, and 4) novel targets/interventions to counteract lean mass loss.
