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
- MRI/ Functional MRI (procedure), Self-reported questionnaires (behavioural), Computer based tasks (behavioural)
- How long the study runs
- Study runs about 45 months (dates as stated)
- About the drug or intervention
- MRI/ Functional MRI — procedure: Participants will undergo an MRI scan lasting approximately 1 hour to examine the structure and function of the brain. · Self-reported questionnaires — behavioural: Participants will complete questionnaires covering subjective measures relating to food attitudes and intake, and report-based measures of relevant psychopathology including depression and anxiety. · Computer based tasks — behavioural: Participants will complete computer based tasks which are focused specifically on aspects of appetite-related and reward behaviours.
- 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
- 50
- Started
- 2024-02-15
- Last checked
- 2024-07
Plain English Summary
What is this study?
- • Testing a new treatment for cancer
- • Clinical study - 50 participants
- • The goal of this observational study is to to look for changes within the brain, and changes in body-to-brain signals in people with cancer and people who do not have cancer
Who can take part?
- • Ages 18 Years and over
- • Diagnosed with cancer
Where?
- • Cambridge - University of Cambridge
This is a simplified summary. Always discuss with your doctor before making any decisions.
About This Trial
The goal of this observational study is to to look for changes within the brain, and changes in body-to-brain signals in people with cancer and people who do not have cancer. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Are there differences in areas of the brain known to be related to appetite control, food reward and motivation, between participants with cancer related weight loss and healthy volunteers 2. Do responses to questionnaires and computer based tasks suggest participants with cancer related weight loss have reduced appetite and reduced motivation to eat compared to healthy volunteers, and if so, do questionnaires suggest that this is associated with any other symptoms? Researchers will compare the structure and blood flow in relevant areas of the brain using MRI images between participants with cancer related weight loss and healthy volunteers. Participants will complete questionnaires and computer based tasks to allow researchers to assess areas of the brain which become more active in response to different stimuli. Some computer based tasks will be performed during the MRI scan. This is called functional MRI. A further objective is to obtain an archive of blood samples which will be stored securely for future analysis if relevant hormones or analytes are identified that may be relevant to metabolism or body composition
More detail
Cancer cachexia is a complex disorder involving progressive loss of muscle and fat in people with cancer, which cannot be corrected with dietary supplements. It affects 50-80% of the cancer population, and accounts for up to 20% of cancer related deaths.To date there are no effective treatments for cancer cachexia and further research is needed to highlight possible treatments for this condition. Previous research into conditions such as obesity and anorexia have shown the importance of signals between the body and the brain in controlling appetite. This study will focus on how cancer affects signals within the body which are communicated to the brain. In people with cancer, these signals may be altered, leading to changes in appetite and less pleasure from eating, ultimately resulting in weight loss (cancer cachexia). The study will be observational and will be carried out in one centre at the Translational Research Facility, Addenbrookes Hospital. Researchers aim to recruit 50 participants (30 with cancer and weight loss, and 20 healthy volunteers). Potential participants will be identified by clinical teams in oncology clinics, via recruitment posters and multi-disciplinary team meetings on the hospital site. Participants will attend for one study visit lasting 4 hours. During this time, participants will undergo an MRI scan, complete questionnaires and perform computer based tasks. Researchers will look for changes within the brain, and changes in body-to-brain signals in people with cancer and people who do not have cancer. Researchers will assess attitudes to eating and body perceptions using questionnaires and computer based tasks. This will indicate whether cancer is driving changes in behaviour which may cause weight loss (cachexia). The ultimate goal is to develop treatment strategies in future to prevent weight loss and improve outcomes for people with cancer
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
- ✓General inclusion criteria for all groups:
- ✓Written agreement to take part
- ✓Aged 18 years or over
- ✓Willing and able to comply with study procedures and visits
- ✓Additional inclusion criteria for participants with cancer:
Who cannot take part
- ✗General exclusion criteria for all groups:
- ✗Non-fluent English speaker
- ✗Active infection, as determined by the investigator based on clinical symptoms and / or fever and / or requirement...
- ✗Women, who are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are lactating.
- ✗MRI safety concern
See the full criteria
Where Is This Study? (1 UK site)
University of Cambridge
Cambridge CB20QQ, United Kingdom
How to Get in Touch
Anthony P Coll, MD PHD
Sponsor contactCONTACT