How a specific protein can help salivary glands recover from radiation damage
Salivary gland response to Desert hedgehog signaling as an antidote to damage from therapeutic radiation
This study is looking at how a special signaling process can help salivary glands heal after radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, with the goal of finding better ways to support patients who have trouble with their saliva production.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11010413 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of Desert hedgehog signaling in helping salivary glands recover from damage caused by therapeutic radiation, particularly in patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers. The study focuses on understanding how mesenchymal cells, which support salivary gland function, can be optimized to enhance the regenerative capacity of the gland's epithelial cells. Using advanced techniques such as genetic models and single-cell transcriptomics, researchers aim to uncover mechanisms that could protect and repair salivary glands after injury. This could lead to new therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from salivary gland dysfunction.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults who have undergone radiation therapy for head and neck cancers and are experiencing salivary gland dysfunction.
Not a fit: Patients who have not received radiation therapy or those with salivary gland dysfunction due to non-radiation-related causes may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments that restore salivation in patients who have experienced damage to their salivary glands due to radiation therapy.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using signaling pathways to enhance tissue regeneration, suggesting that this approach may yield significant results.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Beachy, Philip a — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Beachy, Philip a
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 below.