PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

New compound could reverse loss of muscle mass in cancer and other diseases

2013-12-19
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Jim Sliwa
jsliwa@asmusa.org
202-942-9297
American Society for Microbiology
New compound could reverse loss of muscle mass in cancer and other diseases A new antibody could dramatically boost strength and muscle mass in patients with cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sporadic inclusion body myositis, and in elderly patients with sarcopenia according to research published ahead of print in the journal Molecular and Cellular Biology.

"Age-related loss of muscle mass is a major contributing factor to falls, broken bones, and the loss of mobility," says co-corresponding author David Glass of Novartis, Cambridge, MA, one of the compound's developers, along with first author Estelle Trifilieff, also of Novartis. "This study illustrates that we may have a powerful tool to prevent muscle wasting and promote growth."

The new compound (BYM338) acts to prevent muscle wasting by blocking a receptor that engages a cellular signaling system that exists to put the brakes on muscle development when appropriate. But sometimes those brakes are activated inappropriately, or are stuck on.

"Our goal was to release the brakes," says Glass.

A variety of signals can activate the receptor. Prior to development of BYM338, compounds developed to block these molecules were blunt instruments, either trapping all incoming signals (which stimulated muscle growth but also caused harmful side effects) or blocking just a single receptor activator (providing only tepid growth stimulation.) BYM338 was designed to be in the Goldilocks zone (just right.)

In the study the compound boosted muscle mass 25 to 50 percent and increased strength in animal models. Those gains were significantly superior to those of compounds that blocked a single receptor activator. Clinical trials are currently underway.

The conditions BYM338 is designed to treat are losses of skeletal muscle and fat, which are not reversed by simply eating more, and are known as cachexias when associated with certain chronic illnesses. Cancer cachexia develops in a majority of patients with advanced malignancy, and can interfere with the ability to undergo chemotherapy, says Glass. COPD afflicts an estimated 65 million people worldwide, and is predicted to become the third leading cause of death by 2020. As many as a quarter of COPD patients suffer from cachexia, which can worsen already dire respiratory difficulties.

Sarcopenia—age-related loss of muscle and physical function—afflicts 5-13% of 60-70 year olds, rising to 11-50% in individuals over 80 years old. These individuals become especially vulnerable to falling. Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and non-fatal injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Preliminary data on the antibody was promising enough to have it designated a breakthrough therapy by the US Food and Drug Administration for sporadic inclusion body myositis, a rare muscle wasting disease with no approved therapies.

"We need to be able to help people maintain productive and meaningful lives, and muscle function is a major part of the equation," says Glass. "It could be the difference between independent living and having to move into a nursing home."

### A copy of the manuscript can be found online at http://bit.ly/asmtip1213c. The final version of the article is scheduled for the February 2014 issue of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Molecular and Cellular Biology is a publication of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). The ASM is the largest single life science society, composed of over 39,000 scientists and health professionals. Its mission is to advance the microbiological sciences as a vehicle for understanding life processes and to apply and communicate this knowledge for the improvement of health and environmental and economic well-being worldwide."


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Controlling parasitic worms with genetic selection

2013-12-19
Controlling parasitic worms with genetic selection Scientists at the University of Guelph consider drug-free alternatives to control harmful parasites in sheep Helminths are gastrointestinal parasitic worms that have become a major concern ...

Deciphering the secret of the sugar beet

2013-12-19
Deciphering the secret of the sugar beet Scientists from Germany and Spain announce the sequence of the sugar beet genome This news release is available in German. An international team of researchers from Bielefeld University, Germany, ...

Integrated approaches to customize fungal cell factories

2013-12-19
Integrated approaches to customize fungal cell factories Described in Industrial Biotechnology Journal New Rochelle, NY, December 19, 2013—The natural ability of certain fungi to break down complex substances makes them very valuable ...

Monthly appointments with pharmacists improve medication adherence

2013-12-19
Monthly appointments with pharmacists improve medication adherence Patients are more likely to take chronic medications when they meet monthly with pharmacists to coordinate medication schedules and treatments, according to a Virginia Commonwealth University ...

MRI method for measuring MS progression validated

2013-12-19
MRI method for measuring MS progression validated New imaging research from Western University (London, Canada) has demonstrated that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach called quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) can be an important tool for ...

Study confirms target of potent chronic leukemia drug

2013-12-19
Study confirms target of potent chronic leukemia drug COLUMBUS, Ohio – A new study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC ...

High-dose cytarabine improves outcome in patients with AML in EORTC-GIMEMA AML-12 Trial

2013-12-19
High-dose cytarabine improves outcome in patients with AML in EORTC-GIMEMA AML-12 Trial Results of the EORTC and GIMEMA (Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche dell' Adulto) AML-12 Trial appearing in the Journal of Clinical Oncology show that high-dose ...

A new role for milk: Delivering polyphenols with anti-cancer activity

2013-12-19
A new role for milk: Delivering polyphenols with anti-cancer activity Milk can serve as a protective carrier of bioactive molecules, suggests report in the Journal of Dairy Science® Philadelphia, PA, December 19, 2013 – Polyphenols found in tea manifest anti-cancer ...

Corn pest decline may save farmers money

2013-12-19
Corn pest decline may save farmers money Populations of European corn borer (ECB), a major corn crop pest , have declined significantly in the eastern United States, according to Penn State researchers. The decline suggests that the use of genetically modified, ECB-resistant corn ...

Breaking the cycle of obesity, inflammation and disease

2013-12-19
Breaking the cycle of obesity, inflammation and disease ANN ARBOR—Researchers at University of Michigan have illuminated an aspect of how the metabolic system breaks down in obesity. The findings provide additional evidence that a drug entering clinical trials ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Different types of depression linked to different cardiometabolic diseases

Ketogenic diet may protect against stress experienced in the womb

Adults 65 years and older not immune to the opioid epidemic, new study finds

Artificial intelligence emerging as powerful patient safety tool in pediatric anesthesia

Mother’s ZIP code, lack of access to prenatal care can negatively impact baby’s health at birth, new studies show

American Society of Anesthesiologists honors John M. Zerwas, M.D., FASA, with Distinguished Service Award

A centimeter-scale quadruped piezoelectric robot with high integration and strong robustness

Study confirms that people with ADHD can be more creative. The reason may be that they let their mind wander

Research gives insight into effect of neurodegenerative diseases on speech rhythm

Biochar and plants join forces to clean up polluted soils and boost ecosystem recovery

Salk scientist Joseph Ecker awarded McClintock Prize for Plant Genetics and Genome Studies

ADHD: Women are diagnosed five years later than men, despite symptoms appearing at the same age.

Power plants may emit more pollution during government shutdowns

Increasing pressures for conformity de-skilling and demotivating teachers, study warns

Researchers develop smarter menstrual product with potential for wearable health monitoring

Microwaves for energy-efficient chemical reactions

MXene current collectors could reduce size, improve recyclability of Li-ion batteries

Living near toxic sites linked to aggressive breast cancer

New discovery could open door to male birth control

Wirth elected Fellow of American Physical Society

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Ahead-of-Print Tip Sheet: October 10, 2025

Destined to melt

Attitudes, not income, drive energy savings at home

The playbook for perfect polaritons

‘Disease in a dish’ study of progressive MS finds critical role for unusual type of brain cell

Solar-powered method lights the way to a ‘de-fossilized’ chemical industry

Screen time linked to lower academic achievement among Ontario elementary students

One-year outcomes after traumatic brain injury and early extracranial surgery in the TRACK-TBI Study

Enduring outcomes of COVID-19 work absences on the US labor market

Affirmative action repeal and racial and ethnic diversity in us medical school admissions

[Press-News.org] New compound could reverse loss of muscle mass in cancer and other diseases