TGF-β Blockade Reduces Mortality and Metabolic Changes in a Validated Murine Model of Pancreatic Cancer Cachexia

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Stephanie H Greco - , New York University (Author)
  • Lena Tomkötter - , New York University (Author)
  • Anne-Kristin Vahle - , New York University (Author)
  • Rae Rokosh - , New York University (Author)
  • Antonina Avanzi - , New York University (Author)
  • Syed Kashif Mahmood - , New York University (Author)
  • Michael Deutsch - , New York University (Author)
  • Sara Alothman - , New York University (Author)
  • Dalia Alqunaibit - , New York University (Author)
  • Atsuo Ochi - , New York University (Author)
  • Constantinos Zambirinis - , New York University (Author)
  • Tasnima Mohaimin - , New York University (Author)
  • Mauricio Rendon - , New York University (Author)
  • Elliot Levie - , New York University (Author)
  • Mridul Pansari - , New York University (Author)
  • Alejandro Torres-Hernandez - , New York University (Author)
  • Donnele Daley - , New York University (Author)
  • Rocky Barilla - , New York University (Author)
  • H Leon Pachter - , New York University (Author)
  • Daniel Tippens - , New York University (Author)
  • Hassan Malik - , New York University (Author)
  • Allal Boutajangout - , New York University (Author)
  • Thomas Wisniewski - , New York University (Author)
  • George Miller - , New York University (Author)

Abstract

Cancer cachexia is a debilitating condition characterized by a combination of anorexia, muscle wasting, weight loss, and malnutrition. This condition affects an overwhelming majority of patients with pancreatic cancer and is a primary cause of cancer-related death. However, few, if any, effective therapies exist for both treatment and prevention of this syndrome. In order to develop novel therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer cachexia, appropriate animal models are necessary. In this study, we developed and validated a syngeneic, metastatic, murine model of pancreatic cancer cachexia. Using our model, we investigated the ability of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) blockade to mitigate the metabolic changes associated with cachexia. We found that TGF-β inhibition using the anti-TGF-β antibody 1D11.16.8 significantly improved overall mortality, weight loss, fat mass, lean body mass, bone mineral density, and skeletal muscle proteolysis in mice harboring advanced pancreatic cancer. Other immunotherapeutic strategies we employed were not effective. Collectively, we validated a simplified but useful model of pancreatic cancer cachexia to investigate immunologic treatment strategies. In addition, we showed that TGF-β inhibition can decrease the metabolic changes associated with cancer cachexia and improve overall survival.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e0132786
JournalPloS one
Volume10
Issue number7
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMedCentral PMC4501823
Scopus 84940703446

Keywords

Keywords

  • Animals, Antibodies/immunology, Body Composition, Cachexia/complications, Cell Line, Tumor, Disease Models, Animal, Immunotherapy, Male, Mice, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Muscular Atrophy/complications, Neoplasm Metastasis, Pancreatic Neoplasms/complications, Survival Analysis, Transforming Growth Factor beta/immunology