Hannah Wardill, Lead at Supportive Oncology Research Group (SORG), Research Fellow at Adelaide University, shared on LinkedIn:
“Cancer cachexia is one of oncology’s most devastating syndromes, associated with inferior survival and QoL outcomes.
GDF15 has emerged as a leading mediator of cachexia and is increasingly being explored as a therapeutic target. However, the field has largely viewed GDF15 through a tumour-centric lens.
Our latest work suggests we may need to think more broadly.
Using a preclinical model of radiation-induced oral mucositis, we found that circulating GDF15 increased markedly during peak tissue injury, tracking closely with the development and resolution of mucositis. Higher GDF15 levels were also associated with greater mucosal injury and weight loss.
These findings raise an important question:
Could acute treatment-induced toxicities contribute to the biological pathways that drive cachexia?
If so, supportive care interventions may have benefits that extend well beyond symptom control. Preventing tissue injury may not only improve quality of life, but also modify systemic biology that influences nutrition, function and treatment tolerance.
Congratulations to Connor Williams and our fantastic multidisciplinary team, including Caelleb Morcom, Paolo Bossi and Joanne Bowen, FMASCC on this publication. It is exciting to see supportive care research continuing to uncover biological mechanisms that challenge traditional thinking and create new opportunities for intervention.
Radiation-induced oral mucositis coincides with upregulation of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in rats.”
Title: Radiation induced oral mucositis coincides with upregulation of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) in rats
Authors: Connor M.D. Williams, Caelleb R. Morcom, Ghanyah Al-Qadami, Ysabella Van Sebille, Joanne Bowen, Emma Bateman, Paolo Bossi, Hannah R. Wardill
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