Research to understand and prevent muscle wasting as a result of cancer and its treatment has received $100,000 in financial support from CIBC.

The gift, announced Tuesday during an event at the University of Windsor’s Faculty of Human Kinetics, will help further the work of Matthew Krause, an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, and will be used to fund scholarships for graduate student researchers, as well as to purchase equipment and supplies.

Dr. Krause’s research examines how, with the progression of cancer and its aggressive treatment, other bodily tissues may waste away in response to both the treatment and the disease — known as cancer cachexia. He says it is characterized by involuntary loss of skeletal muscle mass in combination with systemic inflammation and altered metabolism.

“We know from previous research that most cancer patients experience cachexia, and it is directly responsible for approximately 20 per cent of cancer patient deaths,” Krause says.

“Beyond the impact cachexia has on mortality, loss of skeletal muscle mass reduces quality of life as well. There is currently no agreed upon therapeutic strategy to minimize this impact during cancer treatment. The goal of this new research is to gain new insights into the underlying mechanisms of this type of skeletal muscle wasting in cancer cachexia so that new interventions can be pursued.”

Jonathon Dent, CIBC’s senior vice-president and head of its Ontario West region, says the bank is dedicated to creating a future without cancer and are pleased to Krause’s important research.

“This amazing work will bring us one step closer to improving the treatment and care for those living with cancer,” he said.

“The research Dr. Krause is doing and the generous support CIBC is giving are together working to improve the lives of cancer patients,” said interim University of Windsor president Douglas Kneale. “This is a model of both corporate social investment and academic real-world impact, and the University of Windsor is proud to be contributing to the expansion and application of knowledge.”