A team of researchers from the St Vincent's Campus in Sydney have identified a protein called MIC-1 that appears to control the extreme weight loss common in late stage cancer (sometimes called cancer anorexia), which often speeds death.
MIC-1, which also goes by the name GDF-15, PLAB, PDF or NAG-1, is a transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily protein.
Researchers found that treatment of normal and obese mice with MIC-1 resulted in less eating and significant weight loss. MIC-1 has many effects on the body but researchers believe that its effect on suppressing appetite may have therapeutic implications.
This research not only provides more insight into the complexity of how the brain controls appetite but researchers hope to use the information gathered to soon be able to prevent cancer-related weight loss. This would give people the strength to survive treatment and improve their chances of recovery. More research must be done to investigate the possible therapeutic use of MIC-1 or MIC-1 antibodies in cancer or weight loss.
The research is published in the November 2007 issue of Nature Medicine
Adapted from this press release
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