Actively Recruiting
Structural Characteristics of Trunk and Limb Muscles in Cachectic Colorectal Cancer Patients
Led by Hasselt University · Updated on 2025-09-09
60
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
189 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Until now, cancer is still associated with high morbidity and mortality, and is therefore a big issue for the public health. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in developed countries. In advanced colorectal cancer, 60% of these patients develop cachexia. The presence of cachexia plays an important role in the high mortality rate of cancer. Cachexia is characterized by involuntary weight loss with loss of skeletal muscle with or without loss of fat mass. The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of taking muscle biopsies of cachectic colorectal cancer patients. Skeletal muscle characteristics will be compared between biopsies of the m. erector spinae and the m. vastus lateralis from cachectic colorectal cancer patients, non-cachectic colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls. 10 cachectic, 25 non-cachectic, and 25 healthy controls will be recruited for this study. It is an observational study, so measurements will be taken at one time point. Interventions/measurements: * muscle biopsies * blood samples * 3D freehand ultrasound * Short physical performance battery test * handgrip strength * questionnaires (activity pattern, quality of life)
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Structural Characteristics of Trunk and Limb Muscles in Cachectic Colorectal Cancer Patients
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Minimum age of 18 years old
- For cachectic patients: unwanted weight loss > 5% in the last 6 months OR > 2% unwanted weight loss with BMI < 20 kg/m2 OR > 2% unwanted weight loss with sarcopenia
- Cachexia staging score (CSS) between 5 and 12 for cachectic patients
- For non-cachectic cancer patients: no unwanted weight loss > 5% in last 6 months OR > 2% unwanted weight loss with BMI < 20 kg/m2 OR > 2% unwanted weight loss with sarcopenia
- Cachexia staging score (CSS) between 0 and 2 for non-cachectic patients
- For healthy controls: minimum age of 18 years old
You will not qualify if you...
- Mental or psychological condition
- Insufficient knowledge of the Dutch language
- Muscle diseases affecting the spine and lower limbs
- Bedridden status
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Hasselt University - REVAL research institution
Diepenbeek, Limburg, Belgium, 3520
Actively Recruiting
2
Jessa Hospital
Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium, 3500
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
B
Britt van de Haterd, PhD student
CONTACT
K
Kenneth Verboven, Professor
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Masking
N/A
Allocation
N/A
Model
N/A
Primary Purpose
N/A
Number of Arms
3
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