Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Dysfunction in Human Cancer

Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Dysfunction in Human Cancer

Cancer and its treatment can have profound effects on skeletal muscle, the most well-recognized being atrophy, weakness and diminished oxidative capacity. These adaptations negatively impact quality of life, treatment decisions and survival. Despite these consequences, the factors promoting these adaptations remain poorly defined and understudied in human patients. To address this gap in knowledge, our goal in this study is to examine the role of muscle disuse as a regulator of muscle size and function in human cancer patients

Inclusion Criteria:

• 50-75 yrs of age
• histologically-documented, stage III or IV non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC)
• estimated life expectancy >6 mos
• Karnofsky's performance score of ≥70

Exclusion Criteria:

• history, signs or symptoms of inflammatory or autoimmune disease
• uncontrolled hypertension
• heart or renal failure
• exercise limitations from peripheral vascular disease or stroke
• neuromuscular disease
• knee/hip replacement
• additional, actively-treated malignancy or history of malignancy, except non-melanoma skin cancer
• taking medication that can have anti-coagulant effects that cannot be stopped prior to the muscle biopsy