Research
Clinical Trials
After decades with no approved treatments, cachexia research has entered a historic phase. Multiple trials are now enrolling — including the first-ever pivotal-scale studies. Here is what is currently open.
About Trials
What is a clinical trial?
Clinical trials are research studies that test new treatments to find out whether they are safe and whether they work. For cancer cachexia, trials are testing whether new drugs — alone or alongside nutrition and exercise — can help patients preserve muscle and weight, feel stronger, and tolerate their cancer treatment better.
Most cachexia studies are add-on trials, meaning the study drug is given on top of your current cancer treatment, not in place of it. Participants are typically followed by both the trial team and their regular oncology team.
What are the phases?
Phase 1 trials test safety in small groups. Phase 2 trials look for an early signal that the treatment works. Phase 3 (sometimes called pivotal or registrational) trials are large studies designed to support FDA or EMA approval.
Will I get a placebo?
Some cachexia trials are placebo-controlled, meaning some participants receive an inactive treatment for comparison. You will always be told whether the trial uses a placebo, and you will continue to receive your standard cancer care either way.
What does it cost?
Study drugs and trial-related visits, tests, and procedures are typically provided at no cost to participants. Your routine cancer care is billed the way it normally would be.
What does participating look like?
Each trial differs, but participation generally involves regular visits to the trial site, scans, lab work, and questionnaires. Some trials also include a wearable device or home-monitoring component to track activity and strength.
For a deeper, plain-language overview, you can also watch our Introduction to Clinical Trials for Cachexia video on the Patient Resources page.
Where
Trial site locations
Every site listed on clinicaltrials.gov for the trials below. Click a marker for site details. Use the chips to filter by trial.
Currently enrolling — April 2026
List of clinical trials
Trial information is updated periodically. Always verify current status at clinicaltrials.gov and speak with your oncologist before pursuing enrollment.
RIVER-mPDAC
Ponsegromab — Anti-GDF-15 monoclonal antibody
% change in body weight at week 12; appetite symptoms
The largest cachexia trial currently enrolling. Ponsegromab showed +11.4 lb average weight gain at 64 weeks in Phase 2. Combined with first-line chemotherapy.
VINCIT
Visugromab (CTL-002) — Anti-GDF-15 monoclonal antibody
Change in body weight and appetite at week 12
Just opened April 2026 — first patient dosed. Adaptive design with up to 52 weeks of treatment in Part II.
B07 (TCMCB07 Phase 2)
TCMCB07 — MC3R/MC4R antagonist peptide (crosses blood-brain barrier)
Weight maintenance / body composition during chemotherapy
Unique prophylactic design — enrolling patients before cachexia develops, at chemotherapy initiation. Phase 3 planned Q1 2027.
GFS202A Phase 1
GFS202A — Bispecific antibody: anti-GDF-15 × anti-IL-6
Safety, tolerability, PK
World's first bispecific antibody targeting both GDF-15 and IL-6 simultaneously. China only at this stage.
GDFATHER-HCC-01
Visugromab + Nivolumab + Lenvatinib — Anti-GDF-15 mAb + PD-1 inhibitor + TKI
Progression-free survival (cachexia as secondary endpoint)
Second-line HCC trial. Cachexia explicitly assessed via FAACT-ACS questionnaire as a secondary endpoint.
MMIEAD (Kidney Cachexia)
Exercise + anti-inflammatory + dietary counseling — Non-pharmacological multimodal intervention
Recruitment feasibility; intervention adherence
Non-cancer cachexia trial. Non-pharmacological intervention — the only such trial on this list.
How to explore participating
Talk to your oncologist first
Your oncologist needs to know you're interested in a cachexia trial. They can help assess your eligibility and connect you with the trial team.
Check eligibility criteria
Each trial has specific requirements — cancer type, stage, ECOG performance status, and weight loss criteria. Read the full listing on clinicaltrials.gov.
Contact the trial site
Each trial has site-specific contacts listed on clinicaltrials.gov. Reach out directly to ask about availability and screening.
Ask your community
Many CCN community members have enrolled in trials or researched them. Our Facebook group is a great place to ask questions from people who have been through it.