# GLUCOSE METABOLISM AND HYDRAZINE IN CANCER CACHEXIA

> **NIH NIH R01** · LOS ANGELES COUNTY HARBOR-UCLA MED CTR · 1988 · $9,390

## Abstract

Weight loss commonly accompanies cancer and is associated with a poor
clinical outcome.  Caloric provision alone has been largely unsuccessful in
altering this prognosis.  We and others have demonstrated increased whole
body glucose production rates and glucose intolerance in patients with
advanced cancer compared to age-matched controls.  We have also shown in a
randomized trial that hydrazine sulfate, a known inhibitor of
gluconeogenesis in animals, favorably influences the abnormal glucose
metabolism in weight losing cancer patients as well.  In our studies,
improvement in glucose metabolism was associated with weight maintenance in
patients given short term hydrazine treatment.  In the proposed studies,
the ability of hydrazine sulfate to influence the poor clinical outcome and
nutritional status of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer and
adenocarcinoma of the colon will be assessed in two prospective,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials.  All patients
will be initially studied under metabolic ward conditions to quantitate
metabolic, nutritional and clinical parameters.  Glucose production and
glucose recycling using combined UC-14 and 6H-3 glucose infusions as well
as glucose counter-regulatory hormones will be determined.  Insulin
sensitivity alteration associated with hydrazine sulfate will be defined
using the Bergman minimal model and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp
techniques.  Resting energy expenditure will be assessed.  Body composition
(unsing anthropometrics, H-3 water determination and CT scanning) and tumor
mass will be measured.  Patients will then receive defined chemotherapy
treatment for colon and non-small cell lung cancer with or without the
addition of daily oral hydrazine.  All inpatient testing procedures will be
repeated after 4 and 12 weeks of therapy.  Changes in nutritional status,
energy expenditure and clinical outcome will be correlated with metabolic
changes associated with hydrazine use.  As a result, the ability of
hydrazine sulfate to influence nutritional and clinical outcome by
reversing abnormalities in glucose metabolism will be assessed in two
cancer patient populations.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175145
- **Project number:** 3R01CA037320-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** LOS ANGELES COUNTY HARBOR-UCLA MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** ROWAN T. CHLEBOWSKI
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1988
- **Award amount:** $9,390
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1985-09-01 → 1988-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175145

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175145, GLUCOSE METABOLISM AND HYDRAZINE IN CANCER CACHEXIA (3R01CA037320-03S1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175145. Licensed CC0.

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