Last reviewed · How we verify
NCT03789136: COMUNEX
The Effect of Colon Cancer on Muscle Gene Expression, Body Composition, Muscle Function, and Muscle Metabolism
trial testing Not applicable, observational study in Cachexia; Cancer in 55 participants. Status unknown.
31 December 2022
Quick facts
| Lead sponsor | Wageningen University |
|---|---|
| Status | Status unknown |
| Study type | OBSERVATIONAL |
| Enrollment | 55 |
| Start date | 24 February 2017 |
| Primary completion | 31 December 2022 |
| Estimated completion | 31 December 2022 |
| Sites | 1 location across Netherlands |
Drugs / interventions tested
- Not applicable, observational study
Conditions studied
- Cachexia; Cancer — all drugs for Cachexia; Cancer →
Sponsor
Wageningen University
Who can join
Eligibility, any sex, with Cachexia; Cancer. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.
Sponsor's own description
Rationale: Cancer cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome characterized by clinically relevant loss of muscle mass with or without loss of fat mass. To determine how treatment methods can be most effective, full insight in changes in gene expression, body composition, muscle function and muscle metabolism are of great importance. Objective: Main aim of the study is to investigate the differences in gene expression, body composition, muscle function and muscle metabolism in colon cancer patients compared to controls. Study design: Observational study Study population: 40 colon cancer patients undergoing a tumor resection (30 primary tumor and 10 liver metastases) and 15 control patients undergoing an inguinal hernia repair (♂, 10) or an abdominal hysterectomy (♀, 5). Main study parameters/endpoints: Primary study parameter will be gene expression (transcriptomic and polymerase chain reaction analyses of muscle biopsies). Secondary parameters will be body composition (determined in available CT scans and bio impedance analysis and with DEXA), muscle function parameters (grip and knee flexion/extension strength and measured in a biopsy), metabolic markers (measured in fat and muscle biopsies), biochemical markers (measured in blood/serum) and gene expression of fat biopsies. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: The investigators expect no additional risk for the subjects due to the proposed measurements. Biopsies will be taken during the planned operation and therefore is not expected to cause a significant increase in burden for the patient. All other measurements are non-invasive, observational measurements with no risk of any harmful side effects.
Publications & conference data
1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):
-
Primary-Stage Colon Cancer Impairs Muscle Energy Metabolism by Suppressing Mitochondrial Complex I Activity.
Li X, van der Ende M, Moonen H, Plas R, et al · · 2025 · cited 1× · PMID 41221702 · DOI 10.1002/jcsm.70117
Verify or expand the search:
- PubMed search for NCT03789136
- Europe PMC full search
- ASCO Meeting Library
- ESMO Meeting Library
- bioRxiv preprints
- medRxiv preprints
- Google Scholar
Related trials
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Other Wageningen University trials
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Verify against primary sources
- ClinicalTrials.gov — authoritative US registry record
- WHO ICTRP — international registry index
- EU Clinical Trials Register
- Sponsor press releases (Google)
- Trial protocol + status: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03789136 (US National Library of Medicine, public domain)
- Publications: Europe PMC API search by NCT ID, retrieved 10 June 2026
- Drug + disease cross-links: matched in real time against Drug Landscape's normalised drug + company + condition tables
- Sponsor: as reported to ClinicalTrials.gov by Wageningen University
- Last refreshed: 29 June 2021
Drug Landscape aggregates and links these public records for informational use only. Always verify against the primary source before clinical or regulatory decisions. Canonical URL: https://druglandscape.com/trial/NCT03789136.
Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing