Endosomal signaling and cancer pain control in oral cancer
Official title: Endosomal mechanisms signaling oral cancer pain
Funded at New York University · NIH-11607374 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how signals inside nerve cells and supportive cells contribute to pain in people with oral cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New York University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,601,787 |
| NIH project number | 4RM1DE033491-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11607374 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults undergoing treatment for oral cancer who experience pain and are able to provide tissue samples or consent to participate in related assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without pain or those unable to provide samples or participate in assessments may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project examines how certain receptors inside nerve and Schwann cells in the mouth respond to cancer-related signals and how these endosomal signals may cause long-lasting pain. Researchers will collect tumor tissue, nerve samples, and related fluids from patients and grow patient-specific Schwann cells to study pain signaling in the lab. The work combines patient-provided samples with lab experiments to identify endosomal pathways that drive pain, aiming to translate findings into better pain management. Results could guide new treatments that target these internal signaling routes to reduce oral cancer pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new ways to lessen oral cancer pain by interrupting endosomal signaling pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows endosomal signaling can influence pain pathways, but this project applies it specifically to oral cancer pain with patient-derived samples, offering a novel but plausible approach.
Where this research is happening
-
New York University
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmidt, Brian L — New York University
- Study coordinator: Schmidt, Brian L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Truncated TrkB and Oral Cancer Pain in Head and Neck Cancer
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-
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.
-
Continuous flow production of antibody-loaded nanoparticles for non-opioid oral cancer pain relief
A non-opioid approach using antibody-packed nanoparticles is being developed to relieve oral cancer pain and improve quality of life.
-
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.