New research offers hope for reduced muscle wastage for cancer patients

Posted on: 10 November 2023

The team, led by Richard Porter, Associate Professor in Trinity’s School of Biochemistry and Immunology, and based in the Trinity Biomedical Science Institute (TBSI), has also identified a specific cell receptor as an anti-cachexia target.

The research article has just been published in the journal Pharmaceuticals and can be read and downloaded from the publisher's website.

Prof. Porter said:

“This ground-breaking research demonstrated ART27.13’s ability to protect against muscle degeneration associated with colon and lung cancers. Based on this in vitro data, ART27.13 has the potential to protect against muscle wasting, which could result in increased quality of life and may ultimately impact life expectancy for patients living with cancer.”

Artelo is currently evaluating ART27.13, in the Cancer Appetite Recovery Study (CAReS) Phase 2a clinical trial to determine its effect on lean body mass, weight gain, activity levels, and improvement of anorexia in cancer patients.

The purpose of the newly published research was to establish whether ART27.13 may additionally impact muscle degradation, a common debilitating effect of cancer and its treatment.

Not only did the research show that ART27.13 protects against muscle wasting in the in vitro model, but also that the activity was mediated by a specific “CB₂“ receptor, thereby confirming the scientists better understand the mode of action.

Steven D. Reich, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Artelo, commented:

“This in vitro data supports our confidence in ART27.13’s potential as a supportive care therapy for cancer patients as it may not only increase appetite, but also prevent muscle wasting. We are actively enrolling patients in the trial and look forward to reporting on our continued progress.”

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