Role of Activin A (ActA) in the Human Cancer Cachexia

The goal of the investigators study is to investigate the role of a hormone named Activin A (ActA) in the development of the skeletal muscle atrophy caused by cancer. According to the investigators hypothesis, ActA could be released by the tumor and activate a muscle atrophy gene program. To answer this question, the investigators plan first to compare circulating levels of ActA in cancer patients with and without cachexia. In a second step, the investigators would like to assess whether ActA circulating levels are predictive for the development of cachexia and short survival.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

150

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

      • Brussels, Belgium, 1200
        • Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18-year-old or older
  • Colorectal or lung cancer demonstrated by histology or cytology
  • New diagnosis or new recurrence
  • Expected survival more than 3 months
  • No previous history of other cancer in the last 5 years
  • No pregnancy or lactation
  • Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Non-caucasian
  • Major digestive malabsorption
  • Major depression
  • Artificial nutrition
  • Height doses of steroids (>1 mg/kg hydrocortisone equivalent)
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Other causes of malnutrition
  • Expected survival less than 3 months
  • Severely impaired walking
  • Anticoagulants or antiplatelet therapy
  • Disability or medical condition which might prevent the compliance to the protocol
  • Any conditions which may prevent the compliance to the protocol
  • Performance status ECOG > ou = 4
  • Participation to other clinical studies

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Other: cachectic versus no cachectic patients
blood tests, muscular biopsies
blood tests and muscular biopsies

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Circulating Activin A level
Time Frame: 2 years
2 years

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Body mass index
Time Frame: 2 years
2 years
Dietary assessment measured by SNAQ score and 3-Day intake
Time Frame: 2 years
2 years
Mid arm muscle circumference calculated by the triceps skinfold and the mid arm circumference
Time Frame: 2 years
2 years
Body composition measured by bioimpedance
Time Frame: 2 years
2 years
Muscle strength as measured by grip strength
Time Frame: 2 years
2 years
Quality of life as assessed using the QLQ-C30
Time Frame: 2 years
2 years

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

May 1, 2012

Primary Completion (Actual)

March 1, 2014

Study Completion (Actual)

January 1, 2016

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 4, 2012

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 23, 2012

First Posted (Estimate)

May 24, 2012

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 2, 2018

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 29, 2018

Last Verified

March 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • ACTICA

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