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Understanding New Cachexia Subtypes Through Observational Epidemiological Research

Understanding New Cachexia Subtypes Through Observational Epidemiological Research

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07776353
Acronym
UNCOVER
Enrollment
800
Registered
2026-08-20
Start date
2023-04-05
Completion date
2028-05-01
Last updated
2026-08-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma, Advanced Lung Non-Small Cell Carcinoma, Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma, Stage IV Colorectal Cancer AJCC v8, Stage IV Lung Cancer AJCC v8, Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer AJCC v8, Unresectable Colorectal Carcinoma, Unresectable Lung Non-Small Cell Carcinoma

Keywords

Intestinal Neoplasms, Gastrointestinal Neoplasms, Digestive System Neoplasms, Neoplasms by Site, Neoplasms, Digestive System Diseases, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Colonic Diseases, Intestinal Diseases, Rectal Diseases, Respiratory Tract Neoplasms, Thoracic Neoplasms, Lung Diseases, Respiratory Tract Diseases, Endocrine Gland Neoplasms, Pancreatic Diseases, Endocrine System Diseases, Colorectal Neoplasms, Lung Neoplasms, Pancreatic Neoplasms, Clinical Laboratory Techniques, Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures, Diagnosis, Investigative Techniques, Heart Function Tests, Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular, Respiratory Function Tests, Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System, Specimen Handling, Exercise Test

Brief summary

The UNCOVER study is a longitudinal observational cohort focused on patients at high risk for cancer cachexia. At Kaiser Permanente Northern California, up to 800 individuals with advanced or unresectable non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, or colorectal cancer will be enrolled, as these malignancies carry a substantial risk of cancer cachexia, which is characterized by progressive loss of weight, muscle, and adipose tissue, accompanied by functional decline and reduced quality of life. Data collected includes demographic, physiologic, and clinical data, including tumor characteristics and biomarkers of inflammation, hormonal and metabolic status, body composition, physical function, and patient reported outcomes. Investigators will identify patient phenotypes (i.e., subgroups) that may reflect distinct biological or clinical pathways underlying cancer cachexia. By characterizing heterogeneity in cancer cachexia, this study aims to inform the development of improved diagnostic criteria and more targeted therapeutic strategies, ultimately enhancing clinical trial design and supportive care for patients with advanced colorectal, lung, or pancreatic cancer.

Detailed description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To identify multiple distinct diagnostic phenotypes within the syndrome of cancer cachexia as defined by host characteristics (e.g. cachexia symptoms, physical activity, physical function, blood biomarkers, and body composition) at baseline and change in these factors over time in patients with cancer at high risk for cancer cachexia. II. To determine the association of each cancer cachexia phenotype with overall survival. SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the association of each cancer cachexia phenotype with functional decline and treatment intolerance. II. To inform clinical practice guidelines for prompt recognition of patients likely to progress to refractory cachexia, identify early predictors apparent at clinical presentation of each cancer cachexia phenotype defined in the primary objective.

Interventions

PROCEDUREBiospecimen Collection

Undergo collection of blood and archived tumor samples. A sub-sample undergo collection of stool samples.

PROCEDUREComputed Tomography

Undergo CT or PET/CT scan

OTHERElectronic health record review

Electronic Health Record Review

OTHERMedical Device Usage and Evaluation

Wear actigraph

OTHERPhysical functions assessments

Undergo physical function assessments including 30-second bicep curl, timed up and go (TUG), and 30-second sit to stand

PROCEDUREPositron Emission Tomography (PET)

Undergo PET/CT scan

OTHERSurvey Administration

Complete surveys

Sponsors

Kaiser Permanente
Lead SponsorOTHER
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
CollaboratorNIH
Cancer Research UK
CollaboratorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Have a primary diagnosis of unresectable or Stage IV 1) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 2) pancreatic adenocarcinoma, or 3) colorectal cancer (CRC). Note: Patients do not need to have cachexia to be eligible * Plan to start first line systemic anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy) in the next 6 weeks or has started first-line systemic therapy in the previous 6 weeks. Note: Patients who received systemic anti-cancer therapy previously as part of adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy and have since recurred are still eligible if such treatment was longer than 6 months prior to enrollment. * Have an an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of 0, 1 or 2. * Be able to understand, speak and read English. * Be 18 years or older

Exclusion criteria

* Have contraindications to physical function assessments (30-second bicep curl, Timed-Up-And-Go test, or 30-Second Sit to Stand test) per the treating provider or their designee. * Have any planned major surgeries within the next 3 months after enrollment to the best knowledge of the investigator/treating provider or their designee. * Have received chemotherapy or surgery for separate primary cancer within the past 3 years other than non-melanoma skin cancer. * Be pregnant or within 6 months postpartum.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Multiple distinct diagnostic cancer cachexia phenotypesBaseline through study completion, assessed up to 1 year follow upPhenotypes will be based on patient-reported symptoms, physical activity and function assessments, biomarkers, and body composition measured longitudinally using latent class analysis and other clustering methods.
Overall survival: time to deathBaseline to death (the event) or the last contact (censored), assessed up to 1 year follow upTime to death will be assessed as the interval between phenotype ascertainment and death from any cause. Participants without a recorded death event will be censored at the end of available follow-up (e.g., end of health plan membership or the study observation period).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Functional declineBaseline through study completion, assessed up to 1 year follow upAssociations between each cancer cachexia phenotype and functional decline is a secondary outcome. Functional status will be measured at baseline and study completion by physical function assessments and patient-reported questionnaires.
Treatment intoleranceBaseline through study completion, assessed up to 1 year follow upTreatment intolerance will be modeled as time to event outcomes. Treatment data including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy will be obtained from the electronic medical record.
Early predictors of declineBaseline through study completion, assessed up to 1 year follow upLogistic regression will be used to identify patient characteristics apparent at clinical presentation that are early predictors of each cancer cachexia phenotype, focusing on the high-risk phenotypes that are associated with poor outcomes.

Countries

United States

Contacts

CONTACTElizabeth M Cespedes Feliciano, ScD, SM
Elizabeth.M.Cespedes@kp.org(510) 414-4154
CONTACTMichelle C Ross, MPH
michelle.c.ross@kp.org(925) 520-0650

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Aug 21, 2026