Wednesday, December 17, 2025 12/17/2025

Role of BNIP3 and mitophagy in muscle atrophy and cancer cachexia

Award Number: R01CA294703
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/05/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2029

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Role of BNIP3 and mitophagy in muscle atrophy and cancer cachexia - Project Summary The proposed research sets out to examine the role of BNIP3 and mitophagy in muscle atrophy during cancer cachexia that is prevalent in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Using physiologically relevant genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models of PDAC, we examine how BNIP3 promotes atrophy of myofibers with a focus on its role in reducing mitochondrial mass to levels incompatible with sustained growth and homeostasis of specific myofiber types. We also examine how reconstitution of myofibers with different mutant forms of BNIP3 affects key signaling pathways and myofiber growth. We also address the stresses and signals that may explain induction of BNIP3 in muscle by growing PDAC tumor and if these explain the differential muscle atrophy seen between males and females. These mechanistic insights are then interrogated in human PDAC patient muscle samples to determine whether BNIP3 levels in patient muscle predicts the extent of cachexia and survival outcomes (Aim 1). Separately we address how muscle atrophy promotes pancreatic tumor growth and progression by examining how muscle atrophy increases the release of proteins and metabolites into the bloodstream at early stages of pancreatic cancer that may promote progression of benign PanIN lesions to PDAC and increased tumor growth. Finally, we examine whether such muscle-derived factors in the circulation could serve as reliable biomarkers of early-stage pancreatic cancer that will be important for earlier clinical intervention and longer-term survival outcomes for PDAC patients (Aim 2).


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $597,575 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO	5801 S ELLIS AVE	CHICAGO	IL	60637	COOK	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	2	12/9/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$597,575
														Subtotal = $597,575

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $698,076 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO	5801 S ELLIS AVE	CHICAGO	IL	60637	COOK	USA	Cancer Biology Research	001	1	2/12/2025	NEW	$0
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO	5801 S ELLIS AVE	CHICAGO	IL	60637	COOK	USA	Cancer Biology Research	000	1	12/5/2024	NEW	$698,076
														Subtotal = $698,076

Grand Total All Awards = $1,295,651

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Role of BNIP3 and mitophagy in muscle atrophy and cancer cachexia

Award Number: R01CA294703

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 12/05/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2029

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer