$150K to Dr Daniel Runco at Seattle Children's for pediatric cancer research

Targeting GDF15 to Predict and Reverse Pediatric Cancer Cachexia 

Daniel Runco, M.D.

Seattle Children’s Hospital 

$150,000

Cancer treatment can take a tremendous toll on a child's body and his or her family. Many children with brain tumors, sarcomas, and other cancers experience significant weight loss, muscle wasting, fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite during treatment—a condition known as cancer cachexia. These symptoms reduce quality of life, make treatment more difficult to tolerate, and may even affect long-term outcomes. Despite its serious impact, childhood cancer cachexia remains poorly understood, and there are currently no therapies specifically approved to treat it in children.

Dr. Daniel Runco at Seattle Children's Hospital is investigating a protein called GDF15, which may be a key driver of cancer-related weight and muscle loss. The study will track GDF15 levels longitudinally in children undergoing cancer treatment and examine its effect on body composition and appetite, as well as how GDF15 relates to well established adipokines involved in energy homeostasis. By identifying the biological mechanisms behind cancer cachexia, Dr. Runco hopes to lay the foundation for future therapies that could reduce treatment-related suffering, preserve strength and quality of life, and help children better tolerate cancer treatment.

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