InHANCE: Radiation-Related Swallowing Difficulty in Head and Neck Cancer
Official title: Project 2: InHANCE: Radiation Associated Dysphagia
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11399812 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused program aims to understand and reduce swallowing problems caused by radiation therapy in head and neck cancer survivors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 18, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $477,737 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA278716-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399812 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Head and neck cancer survivors who have received curative radiotherapy and are at risk for or experiencing radiation-associated dysphagia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without swallowing difficulties or those not undergoing radiotherapy may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses data from the PRO-ACTIVE trial to map how radiation dose, treatment details, age, and other factors affect swallowing problems after cancer treatment. It plans to study tissue changes and signatures that lead to swallowing difficulty, with the goal of personalizing radiotherapy to reduce harm. The work will guide new clinical pathways and trial designs to protect swallowing function while maintaining cancer control. It represents a collaboration across core resources at MD Anderson to translate complex imaging and clinical data into patient-friendly care decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could personalize radiotherapy plans to lower swallowing-related side effects and improve quality of life for head and neck cancer survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has defined dysphagia-related structures and dose constraints; this project seeks to advance beyond by personalizing treatment pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hutcheson, Katherine Arnold — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hutcheson, Katherine Arnold
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Wearable biofeedback device to help swallowing after neurologic injury
This project helps people with swallowing problems from neurologic conditions use a small wearable sensor that shows neck muscle activity to guide exercises and improve swallowing.
-
Reducing Burden for Care Partners of People with Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
This project tests a user-friendly Web tool to help care partners of people with dementia manage oropharyngeal dysphagia and reduce daily caregiving burden.
-
Non-Invasive Dysphagia Detection for Preterm Infants
A new non-invasive tool analyzes a premature baby’s bottle feeding behavior to detect swallowing difficulties early.
-
Web program to help caregivers safely feed loved ones with dementia who have trouble swallowing
A web-based program to teach family caregivers how to manage swallowing problems and reduce the stress of feeding a loved one with Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
-
Wearable biofeedback to improve swallowing after neurological diseases
A wearable biofeedback device helps adults with neurogenic dysphagia improve swallowing through guided exercises and remote coaching.
-
Brain changes after stroke: how aging and tongue exercises affect swallowing
A study from UW–Madison looks at why swallowing trouble after stroke persists, and whether age and tongue exercises can help restore swallowing more than just using tricks.
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.