A new implant to reduce vocal fold scarring and improve voice quality
Official title: INJECTABLE, TUNABLE THERAPEUTIC IMPLANT TO REDUCE VOCAL FOLD SCAR
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-10833645 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new injectable implant that slowly releases medication to help heal the vocal folds, making it easier for people with voice problems to recover and improve their voice without causing more discomfort or scarring.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $200,585 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DC021038-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10833645 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing voice disorders due to vocal fold scarring.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with voice disorders not related to vocal fold scarring may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel injectable implant designed to deliver corticosteroids to the vocal folds over an extended period. The implant aims to optimize wound healing in the delicate structure of the vocal folds, which is crucial for restoring voice function. By providing a sustained release of medication or activating it with laser light, the treatment seeks to minimize discomfort and improve the effectiveness of therapy for vocal fold scarring. This approach addresses the limitations of current treatment methods, which often lead to further scarring and voice dysfunction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve voice quality and quality of life for patients suffering from vocal fold scarring.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been attempts to use local corticosteroid delivery for vocal fold treatment, this specific approach with a tunable implant is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dion, Gregory Robert — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Dion, Gregory Robert
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
SCAR Clinical Research Consortium: Understanding and Predicting Severe Skin Reactions
A national network will study severe skin drug reactions like SJS/TEN and DRESS to improve diagnosis, severity measures, and future drug safety trials.
-
Restoring the cornea’s support layer to reduce scarring
Researchers are trying to restore the cornea’s supporting tissue to help people with corneal scarring from injury, infection, or congenital conditions.
-
Turning scar-forming support cells into neurons to repair spinal cord injuries
This project uses a cell-reprogramming approach to make support cells into new nerve cells to help people with spinal cord injuries regain function.
-
How previous uterine scars lead to placenta accreta
Researchers are looking at how uterine scars from prior cesarean deliveries change the uterus so the placenta can grow in too deeply, causing placenta accreta in pregnant people.
-
Sutureless collagen gel repair for corneal scarring
This work tests a suture-free, transparent collagen gel with healing cells to replace scarred cornea tissue and help people with vision loss from corneal scars.
-
Cell signals that control scarring during tendon healing
This research looks at how two cell signals, mTORC1 and Stat3, affect scarring as tendons heal to help people with tendon injuries heal stronger and with less pain.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.