At a glance
- What the study gets you
- Health checks and monitoring — no treatment given
- Type of study
- Observational (no treatment given)
- Time in hospital
- In-person visits at study sites — visit count not specified by the sponsor
- Drug or intervention
- Not specified by the sponsor
- How long the study runs
- Study runs about 50 months (dates as stated)
- About the drug or intervention
- Not specified by the sponsor
- Patient visit burden
- Not specified by the sponsor
- Type of study
- Observing health over time
- Ages
- 18 Years and over
- Who
- All
- Number of participants
- 200
- Started
- 2023-10-01
- Last checked
- 2025-12
Plain English Summary
What is this study?
- • Testing a new treatment for cachexia
- • Clinical study - 200 participants
- • Some people with cancer suffer from muscle wasting, lose weight and feel tired
Who can take part?
- • Ages 18 Years and over
- • Diagnosed with cachexia
Where?
- • Edinburgh - University of Edinburgh
This is a simplified summary. Always discuss with your doctor before making any decisions.
About This Trial
Some people with cancer suffer from muscle wasting, lose weight and feel tired. This process, termed cachexia, is a significant problem and can lead to a reduction in both quality and quantity of life. Cachexia is caused by interactions between the tumour and the patient. Historically, it was considered to be a purely end-stage phenomenon of advanced cancer, however, it is now known that early signs of cachexia can even influence the outcomes of patients with potentially curative pathology, including those planned for a surgical resection. This study aims to collect information, from patients who are at risk of cachexia, about body composition, physical activity, quality of life and the body's immune response to cancer. Previously these measures have been most frequently studied in isolation, or at one single time-point, and are therefore likely to give an incomplete picture. A more holistic characterisation of surgical patients at risk of cancer cachexia, across their treatments, is currently lacking. Participants with cancer will be recruited to the study from surgical services in the United Kingdom (UK). A small number of 'control' patients without cancer, who are undergoing surgery for a benign condition, will also be recruited for comparison. Those recruited will have their height and weight measured, answer questionnaires about quality of life, undergo assessment of their physical function and levels of activity, have blood taken to analyse markers of inflammation and have their body composition measured by a variety of methods. A subgroup of patients will also undergo an additional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of their abdomen and thighs. At the time of their operation, participants will also have small biopsies of muscle, fat, tumour and urine taken for biochemical analysis. Patients with cancer, will be asked to return for three follow up appointments during the year after their operation where these assessments will be repeated.
How this trial compares with your answers
Answer 2 more questions to improve match
What we know so far
Still need:
- • Tell us your age for better matching
- • Tell us your sex for better matching
Preliminary match based on your answers. Full eligibility requires on-site assessment including medical history, physical exam, and lab tests. This does not guarantee enrolment.
Eligibility at a Glance
Key info
- Age: 18 Years and over
- Who can join: All genders
What the study is looking for
- ✓Inclusion Criteria (Cancer Resection)
- ✓Patients with cancer (Clinical, histological, cytological or radiological evidence) planned for surgical resection...
- ✓Aged 18-years and over
- ✓Able to give written agreement to take part
- ✓Inclusion Criteria (Healthy Controls)
Who cannot take part
- ✗Any concomitant medical or psychiatric problems which, in the opinion of the investigator, would increase the risk...
- ✗Presence of a concomitant inflammatory (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease) or muscle wasting...
See the full criteria
Where Is This Study? (1 UK site)
University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
How to Get in Touch
Richard JE Skipworth, MD FRCS
Sponsor contactCONTACT
Leo R Brown, MBChB MRCS
Sponsor contactCONTACT