Recovering Strength

Families impacted by cancer can share stories of both the blessings and challenges of chemotherapy. As one of the most widely used treatments for cancer, many have benefited from its ability to negate the disease’s spread. However, its side effects, such as diminished muscle mass and function, can delay or prevent a cancer survivor’s return to full health.

Two Baylor researchers are working to eliminate that trade-off. Cory Dungan, Ph.D., and Michael Wiggs, Ph.D., assistant professors in Baylor’s department of health, human performance and recreation, are collaborating on a project to fight “zombie cells” that could be the cause of much of that muscle loss.

Specifically, the researchers focus on senescent cells, which are muscular cells that have aged during chemotherapy but not died. These “zombie cells” have been linked to age-related muscle loss. Dungan and Wiggs will explore whether senolytics, a class of drugs that clear these cells, could benefit chemotherapy patients by reducing muscle atrophy and promoting muscle growth and regeneration. The end result they pursue — increased muscle mass and strength — could lead to enhanced quality of life and better health for survivors. 

As they pursue new methods to restore muscle mass for patients, their work is motivated by Jesus’ call to heal the sick in Matthew 10:8.

“Our ultimate goal is to translate our findings to a clinical population,” Dungan says, “and help those that are sick and suffering return to a normal life.”