Researchers at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) School of Dentistry are taking major steps to improve the understanding and treatment of oral cancer pain. The team has secured three grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) totaling $6 million. These grants will fund research projects aimed at managing pain, studying oral mucositis, and exploring ways to stop oral cancer progression.
Oral cancer remains a significant health challenge in the United States. Patients often experience severe pain caused by tumors or by treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation. Oral mucositis, a painful inflammation of the mouth’s lining, frequently accompanies cancer treatment. The UTSA grants are designed to address these issues directly and provide insights that could guide future drug development.
One of the awarded grants is a two-year, $315,000 project led by Dr. Cara Gonzales, PhD. Dr. Gonzales’ research will focus on transient receptor channels in mouse models. These channels are involved in pain signaling and may also influence tumor growth and immune system responses. By testing the effects of targeting these channels, her team hopes to uncover potential new approaches for treating oral cancer and associated pain.
In addition, Drs. Shivani Ruparel and Brij B. Singh received a five-year grant worth $3.1 million. Their work will investigate the roles of calcium signaling, transient receptor potential channels, and inflammasome signaling in oral mucositis. These processes are central to the development of inflammation and pain in the mouth. The researchers aim to identify novel mechanisms that could be targeted to prevent or treat oral mucositis in cancer patients.
Finally, Dr. Ruparel has also been awarded a four-year, $2.6 million grant to study tumor-related pain in greater detail. This project will examine the role of a truncated isoform receptor, a variant that may contribute to pain in oral cancer.
Understanding how this receptor affects tumor-induced pain could lead to new therapies that provide relief for patients suffering from this often debilitating symptom.
Together, these three NIH-funded projects represent a comprehensive approach to oral cancer research. By exploring tumor growth, inflammation, and pain mechanisms, UTSA researchers hope to improve quality of life for patients while also advancing the development of new treatment options.
“This funding will allow us to tackle oral cancer pain from multiple angles,” said a spokesperson for the UTSA School of Dentistry. “Our goal is to translate these findings into real therapies that can help patients now and in the future.”
The research underscores the critical role of dental schools in advancing cancer science. While dentists are often associated with routine care, institutions like UTSA are proving they are also at the forefront of innovative medical research. With these grants, UTSA’s team is positioned to make meaningful contributions to the fight against oral cancer and its painful side effects.