/newsroom/taxonomy/term/7147/all en /newsroom/channels/news/breakthrough-fight-against-muscle-wasting-diseases-255242 <p><span>It is estimated that half of all cancer patients suffer from a muscle wasting syndrome called </span><span>cachexia</span><span>. Cancer cachexia impairs quality of life and response to therapy, which increases morbidity and mortality of cancer patients. Currently, there is no approved treatment for muscle wasting but a new study from the Research Institute of the ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) and University of Alberta could be a game changer for patients, improving both quality of life and longevity. The research team discovered a new gene involved in muscle wasting that could be a good target for drug development.</span></p> <p> Tue, 15 Sep 2015 13:57:45 +0000 laurie.devine@mcgill.ca 24468 at /newsroom