Cancer Cachexia Robs Cancer Patients of Muscle... Clues to Treatment Found in the Gut Microbiome [Reading Science]

KIST Identifies the Effects of "Micheliolide"

Animal Trials Show 34% Increase in Muscle Mass

A new study has found that "cancer cachexia," which causes rapid weight and muscle loss in cancer patients, can be improved by regulating the gut microbiome. This presents a new treatment strategy that prevents muscle loss by modulating the microbiome and immune system, rather than attacking cancer cells directly.

The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced on August 14 that a joint research team led by Dr. Myung-Seok Kim and Dr. Choong-Gu Lee at the Center for Natural Product Efficacy Optimization has identified the mechanism by which the natural compound "Micheliolide (MCL)" improves cancer cachexia through the gut microbiome.

Mechanism for overcoming cancer cachexia through restoration of the gut-immune-muscle axis mediated by natural compounds and beneficial bacteria. Provided by the research team

Cancer cachexia is a condition characterized by continuous weight and muscle loss in cancer patients. It is observed in up to 80% of all cancer patients and is associated with about 20% of cancer-related deaths. However, fundamental treatments remain limited.

The research team analyzed more than 4,000 types of natural products and discovered the effect of MCL in improving cancer cachexia. When MCL was administered to animal models of colorectal and pancreatic cancer, muscle mass increased by 34%, and muscle strength increased by 31%, without affecting tumor size.

Targeting the Gut Microbiome Instead of Cancer Cells

The team also confirmed that MCL restores T cell function that is weakened by cancer and suppresses the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, thereby reducing the inflammatory response that leads to muscle degradation.

In particular, the gut microbiome played a key role. In mice that had their gut microbiome removed by antibiotics, MCL showed no effect. Administering MCL selectively increased the population of the beneficial gut bacterium "Phocaeicola vulgatus."

Proof of Causality in Treating Cancer Cachexia Mediated by Gut Microbiota and Metabolites in MCL. Provided by Research Team

By analyzing metabolites produced by this bacterium, the researchers also identified 11 new cyclopeptides that promote muscle synthesis and suppress inflammatory responses. If efficacy and safety are later verified in humans, this could lead to the development of cancer cachexia therapeutics leveraging natural compounds or microbiome-based approaches.

Dr. Myung-Seok Kim of KIST stated, "We have demonstrated the potential of improving cancer cachexia through the interaction between natural compounds and the gut microbiome," and added, "Through further clinical research and technology transfer, we will strive to develop new drugs that can improve survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients."

The results of this study were published in the international journal "Microbiome."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.