Exploring how healthy oral bacteria can fight oral cancer
Official title: Health-associated oral bacteria as anti-cancer and immunomodulatory agents in oral cancer
Funded at Temple Univ of the Commonwealth · NIH-10986540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain healthy bacteria in your mouth might help prevent and treat oral cancer, and it could lead to new ways to use these bacteria to improve cancer treatments for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Temple Univ of the Commonwealth NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2024 |
| Project end | September 15, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $469,830 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE033458-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous oral conditions or those not diagnosed with oral cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of health-associated oral bacteria in preventing and treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). By analyzing the microbiome, the study aims to identify specific bacterial species that can inhibit cancer cell growth and enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. The approach includes advanced gene sequencing techniques to profile the oral microbiome and understand how these bacteria can modulate cancer progression. Patients may benefit from new therapeutic strategies that utilize these beneficial bacteria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments for oral cancer that harness the power of beneficial bacteria.
How similar studies have gone: While there is growing evidence supporting the use of microbiome-based therapies in cancer treatment, this specific approach focusing on oral bacteria in OSCC is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Al-Hebshi, Nezar — Temple Univ of the Commonwealth
- Study coordinator: Al-Hebshi, Nezar
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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.