Immunomodulatory therapy to speed up healing after oral cavity injuries in kids
Official title: An immunomodulatory approach to improve oral cavity wound healing
Funded at Old Dominion University · NIH-11472773 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach using a drug called FTY720 aims to improve healing and reduce pain after oral injuries or palate surgery in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Old Dominion University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norfolk, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $933,580 |
| NIH project number | 2R56DE028905-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11472773 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with oral wounds or those undergoing palate surgery who are at risk for healing complications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without oral wounds or who have healing that progresses normally may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to understand how FTY720 helps the mouth heal after injury or surgery and to optimize how we deliver it to boost repair. It builds on a mouse model that mimics oral wounds like those seen after cleft palate surgery and traumatic injuries. The researchers will study the immune and chemical pathways involved to determine how to promote faster, less painful healing. The work could pave the way for a practical therapy to prevent persistent problems such as oronasal fistula. The study is designed to translate findings toward better clinical options for pediatric patients with oral wounds.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this therapy could reduce pain and the need for multiple surgeries to fix oral wounds in children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous preclinical work suggests targeting sphingosine pathways can influence immune responses to promote healing, but clinical translation in pediatrics is still forthcoming.
Where this research is happening
-
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goudy, Steven L — Old Dominion University
- Study coordinator: Goudy, Steven L
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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.