RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Neurobehavioural and Cognitive Changes in Cancer Cachexia (CANCOG)

This research, called CANCOG, is an observational study exploring how cancer and the resulting weight loss (known as cachexia) affect the brain and the way messages pass between the body and the brain. The study aims to understand why people with cancer might lose their appetite or find less pleasure in eating, leading to weight loss. Researchers will use special brain scans (MRI and functional MRI), questionnaires, and computer tasks to compare people with cancer-related weight loss to healthy volunteers. The goal is to discover new ways to treat cancer-related weight loss and improve the health of people living with cancer.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

University of Cambridge

Enrolment target

Start

15 Feb 2024

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2027

Cancer Cachexia Cachexia-Anorexia Syndrome Appetite Loss Weight Loss

What is this study about?

Imagine your body and brain are constantly talking to each other, especially about things like hunger and how much you enjoy food. When you have cancer, these conversations can sometimes get muddled. This study, called CANCOG, wants to understand exactly how cancer, and the significant weight loss it can cause (known as cachexia), changes these important signals.

Cachexia is a serious problem for many people with cancer, causing them to lose muscle and fat that can't be fixed just by eating more. This loss can significantly impact their strength and overall well-being. The CANCOG study is designed to look closely at specific parts of the brain related to appetite and how rewarding food feels. By comparing people with cancer-related weight loss to healthy volunteers, researchers hope to see if there are differences in their brain activity and body-to-brain signals. This knowledge is crucial because it could help doctors develop new and better treatments to prevent or manage cancer-related weight loss in the future.

Researchers believe that changes in these body-to-brain signals might be why people with cancer lose their appetite or don't enjoy food as much, ultimately leading to weight loss. Everything learned from this study will help us understand more about how cancer affects the body and brain. The ultimate aim is to improve care and create new strategies to help people with cancer maintain their strength and quality of life.

Key takeaways

This study focuses on understanding why people with cancer lose weight.
It uses brain scans (MRI) and computer tasks to explore appetite and motivation.
The research compares cancer patients with weight loss to healthy volunteers.
It’s an important step towards finding new treatments for cancer-related weight loss.
Participation involves one 4-hour visit for scans, questionnaires, and a blood test.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be 18 years old or older and be able to understand the study process. You must be able to speak English well enough to follow instructions.

If you have cancer, you would need to have had a confirmed cancer diagnosis and have experienced unexplained weight loss of more than 5% of your body weight in the last six months, or you've noticed a change in your appetite that you feel is linked to your cancer.

There are also reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have an active infection, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have certain medical conditions that might make the study unsafe, or if you can't have an MRI scan. If you're a healthy volunteer, you shouldn't have a history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Can you speak English fluently?
Do you have a confirmed cancer diagnosis AND have experienced unexplained weight loss or a change in appetite?
Are you able to have an MRI scan safely (no metal in your body, etc.)?
Are you NOT pregnant or breastfeeding?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will have one visit to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, which will last about 4 hours. During this visit, you will have an MRI scan, which is a type of scan that uses magnets and radio waves to look at the inside of your body, including your brain. Some parts of the scan will involve you doing tasks on a computer while inside the scanner. You will also fill out some questionnaires and complete other computer tasks designed to understand your appetite and how you feel about food. The study team will also take a blood sample, which will be stored securely for future research on how your body’s chemistry might affect your metabolism.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might not directly benefit your health immediately, but the information we gather will be incredibly valuable for understanding cancer-related weight loss and could lead to better treatments for future patients. All procedures have some minor potential risks, for example, the MRI scan may make some people feel uncomfortable in closed spaces, and blood tests can cause slight bruising. Your safety is very important, and you will be carefully checked to make sure you can take part safely. Remember, you have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University of Cambridge
Verified postcode
Cambridge, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is cachexia?

Cachexia is severe weight loss, including muscle and fat, that can happen to people with serious illnesses like cancer. It's not just about not eating; it's a complex process that the body goes through.

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI scan uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of the inside of your body, like your brain. It does not use X-rays.

Will I get paid for taking part?

The study information doesn't mention payment for taking part, but you can ask if any travel expenses will be covered.

How long will the study take?

Your participation will involve one visit lasting approximately 4 hours.

What will happen to my blood samples?

Your blood samples will be stored securely for future research to look for hormones or substances that might be related to your metabolism or body make-up.

How to find out more

Anthony P Coll, MD PHD

apc36@cam.ac.uk 01223 769041 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.