Co-Occurring Keap1 and Kras Mutations and Cancer Cachexia
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women worldwide. Adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer in the United States. Among active military personnel and U.S. Veterans, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Exposure to dust, fumes, and other toxic substances/carcinogens from burn pits and other environmental pollutants puts them at a higher risk for lung cancer development compared to civilians. Cachexia is a devastating complication of cancer that affects about 60% of lung cancer patients. It takes a heavy toll on quality of life in cancer patients due to involuntary weight loss, reductions in muscle strength and adipose tissue mass, and elevated toxicity of chemotherapy and other postoperative treatments. In this research proposal, we will examine the possible role of selected oncogenic mutations in promoting lung tumor growth and simultaneously inducing systemic inflammation and adipose tissue and muscle loss. By understanding the development of cachexia in mice with lung tumors, we anticipate developing new biomarkers that can be used to predict cachexia development and drugs that could prevent cachexia development and improve the overall quality of life.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Source ID
- W81XWH1810393
Entities
People
- Peter Illei
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University
- United States Army