Continuous flow production of antibody-loaded nanoparticles for non-opioid oral cancer pain relief
Official title: Continuous flow manufacturing of antibody-loaded nanoparticles for non-opioid oral cancer pain therapy
Funded at New York University · NIH-11355746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A non-opioid approach using antibody-packed nanoparticles is being developed to relieve oral cancer pain and improve quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $186,504 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB039295-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11355746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with oral cancer experiencing significant pain who are seeking non-opioid pain management options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancer-related pain or those who cannot receive nanoparticle-based therapy may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to create a scalable, continuous-flow method to manufacture nanoparticles that deliver anti-PAR2 antibodies inside pain-signaling cells, potentially reducing cancer pain without opioids. The work focuses on overcoming barriers to clinical use by improving loading, encapsulation, and production methods for these biologic therapies. Researchers will explore how these nanoparticle systems can reach sensory neurons implicated in persistent cancer pain and deliver therapy directly where it’s needed. If successful, this could pave the way for safer, non-addictive pain management options for oral cancer patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience significant pain relief from a non-opioid therapy that targets nerve signaling.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show promise for intracellular delivery of antibodies, but clinical translation has been challenging, making this approach hopeful yet early.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pinkerton, Nathalie M — New York University
- Study coordinator: Pinkerton, Nathalie M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Endosomal signaling and cancer pain control in oral cancer
A study to understand how signals inside nerve cells and supportive cells contribute to pain in people with oral cancer.
-
Truncated TrkB and Oral Cancer Pain in Head and Neck Cancer
This project looks at a specific brain receptor told to influence pain in people with oral cancer to find new ways to reduce pain without heavy opioids.
-
Understanding how mouth cancer proteases drive pain in patients
This NIH grant looks at how enzymes in oral cancer tumors may cause pain, aiming to connect specific proteases with how patients feel pain.
-
Blocking HB-EGF and trigeminal EGFR to reduce oral cancer pain and opioid tolerance
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.
-
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.