Therapeutics and Pharmacology student Anna DeBruine, BASc, attended the 8th Cancer Cachexia Conference in Turin, Italy, where her abstract was selected for a poster presentation, and received the Women in Cachexia (WCX) Recognition of Outstanding Work: Student Spotlight Award. 

Hosted by the Cancer Cachexia Society (CCS), the conference brought together leading international researchers and clinicians to share advances in understanding and treating cancer cachexia — a complex syndrome characterized by severe muscle loss that affects many patients with cancer patients but remains underrepresented in research. 

Expanding knowledge through global collaboration

As a member of CCS, DeBruine presented her poster titled “Targeting estrogen-related receptors to prevent cachexia-induced muscle wasting.” Her research explores how estrogen-related receptors might be used to prevent or reduce the muscle wasting associated with cancer cachexia. 

Attending the conference provided DeBruine with a valuable opportunity to connect with global experts. 

“It was an amazing opportunity to connect with others who study this disease, since it’s overall understudied in the field of oncology. There are only a few cachexia researchers in Houston, so external connections are vital for my education.” 

Spotlight on excellence: Women in Cachexia award 

DeBruine was honored with the WCX Recognition of Outstanding Work: Student Spotlight Award, which celebrates gender minority researchers for their contributions to the field. Selected from more than 70 applicants, her research was featured in the conference’s student spotlight and recognized with a monetary award.

The WCX initiatives within CCS promote diversity and inclusion in the field by supporting women and other underrepresented scientists pursuing cachexia research. 

Celebrating awareness and connection 

In addition to the conference’s scientific sessions, attendees celebrated the first annual World Cancer Cachexia Awareness Day. To mark the occasion, Turin’s iconic Mole Antonelliana museum was illuminated with the CCS logo. 

“The architecture in Turin was beautiful and probably the most memorable feature of my trip,” said DeBruine.

Defining success through impact 

Reflecting on the experience, DeBruine shares how her goals as a scientist are guided by compassion and patient impact. 

“Success, for me, is helping people; in this case, helping ease the burden of living with cancer for patients and their families. If something I create or contribute to has an impact on patient lives, then I consider it successful. I want my work to be highly translational so that patients can directly benefit from my research.”