Evaluation ofthe associationof bodycomposition,metabolism,systemicinflammation, andglucoseuptake,neoangiogenesis and fibroblastic remodeling ofthe extracellularmatrix ofvisceral andsubcutaneous adiposetissues in patients with gastricand colorectal cancer

• Grant number: 24/01746-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: José Barreto Campello Carvalheira
• Grantee: Renata Erbert Contriciani
• Host Institution: Centro de Hematologia e Hemoterapia (HEMOCENTRO). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10265-8 - Cancer Theranostics Innovation Center (CancerThera), AP.CEPID

Abstract

Changes in body composition in cancer patients such as muscle depletion (sarcopenia) andlow muscle radiodensity (myosteatosis) have been associated with worse outcomes, such asincreased toxicity and poorer response to treatment as well as decreased overall survival andworse quality of life. Changes in body composition may be the result of cachexia.Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by systemic inflammation and metabolic changes that are associated with progressive weight loss determined by the loss of muscle mass with or without adipose tissue depletion. Conversion of white adipose tissue to"beige" adipose tissue was also observed in cachexia. Interestingly, the high radiodensity ofadipose tissue correlates with greater glucose uptake from this tissue and is associated withworse survival in patients with multiple myeloma. The high radiodensity of subcutaneous adipose tissue has a HU value similar to brown adipose tissue, which supports the hypothesis that radiodensity of adipose tissue may be an early marker of cachexia. However, these values may also be demonstrating increased inflammation of adipose tissue, macrophage infiltration, glucose uptake, neoangiogenesis and fibroblastic remodeling of theextracellular matrix of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues. Therefore, despite advancesin understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to cachexia, clinical tools forits diagnosis and a better understanding of the real impact of changes in body composition onoutcomes in cancer patients are still lacking.