Blocking HB-EGF and trigeminal EGFR to reduce oral cancer pain and opioid tolerance
Official title: Targeting HB-EGF and trigeminal EGFR for oral cancer pain and opioid tolerance
Funded at New York University · NIH-11372499 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Blocking HB-EGF and EGFR signals in trigeminal nerve cells to try to reduce severe mouth cancer pain and slow opioid tolerance for people with oral cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2022 |
| Project end | September 18, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,561,072 |
| NIH project number | 4R01DE032501-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372499 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with oral (mouth) cancer who are experiencing moderate to severe pain and are using or considering opioid pain medicines.
✕Less likely to help
People without oral cancer, or those whose pain is caused by other conditions, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project looks at a protein called HB-EGF and its receptor EGFR in the nerve cells that sense pain in the mouth to understand why oral cancer pain can be severe and why opioids stop working. The team will use genetic tools and drugs in laboratory and animal models to block HB-EGF/EGFR and measure pain-related behaviors and opioid responses. They will record nerve signaling using a new brainstem preparation and compare findings with patient samples that showed higher HB-EGF in people with worse pain. Together, these approaches aim to reveal pathways that could be targeted to change how oral cancer pain and opioid tolerance are managed.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new ways to lower oral cancer pain or prevent opioid tolerance so patients may need lower opioid doses and have fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Some prior research links EGFR signaling to pain, but targeting HB-EGF in trigeminal neurons for oral cancer pain and opioid tolerance is a newer approach with limited clinical testing to date.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ye, Yi — New York University
- Study coordinator: Ye, Yi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how mouth cancer proteases drive pain in patients
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Continuous flow production of antibody-loaded nanoparticles for non-opioid oral cancer pain relief
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Investigating a specific protein's role in pain from oral cancer
This study is looking at how a protein called TrkBT1 affects pain in people with head and neck cancer, with the goal of finding better ways to manage that pain without relying too much on opioids.
-
Understanding the causes of pain in oral cancer patients
This study is looking into why kids with oral cancer feel different levels of pain, so we can find better ways to help them feel more comfortable.
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.