Trinity researchers will partner up with Artelo Biosciences to investigate a new treatment for cancer cachexia, a severe wasting syndrome thought to shorten the lives of cancer patients.
Led by Trinity’s Prof Richard Porter, researchers will study Artelo Biosciences’ molecule ART27.13 in preclinical models of human cancer cachexia. Cachexia affects up to 80 per cent of cancer patients according to Cancer Research UK but cannot be treated in the same way as other starvation or anorexia-like conditions.
“Even though cancer-induced cachexia has very significant clinical consequences, there is unfortunately a limited amount of research surrounding the pre-clinical mechanisms leading to the syndrome”, said Porter in a press release.
“As a result, I believe this is a very important and exciting area of research as there is the potential of a significant impact on patients’ quality of life during a very vulnerable time in their lives”, Porter added.
The wasting caused by cachexia involves multiple systems in the body so is complex to treat. Artleo Biosciences focuses on therapeutics that modulate the body’s cellular signalling pathways, particularly a group of signalling pathways called the endocannabinoid system.
ART27.13 is a peripherally restricted cannabinoid receptor agonist, meaning it activates the receptors in that signalling pathway, an effect which may improve cachexia treatment.
Gregory Gorgas, Artelo President and CEO, said in a press release that he was “delighted” to be working with Trinity to better understand ART27.13 and to combine new work with their existing research on cancer cachexia. Future clinical development in this area could be very promising for improving outcomes for patients suffering from cancer cachexia.
“I am excited to partner with Artelo to expand the research around ART27.13 for the treatment of cachexia,” said Porter in a press release.
Artelo Biosciences is a biopharmaceutical company that, according to its website, is “dedicated to applying true biopharma discipline in leveraging past research and leading-edge, world-class science to accelerate the development and commercialization of a diverse portfolio of novel, endocannabinoid system modulating therapeutics”.
Porter completed an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at Trinity, before carrying out a PhD and held a three-year postdoctoral position at the department of biochemistry metabolism in the University of Cambridge. His research focuses on understanding mammalian energy metabolism.
