Investigating how cancer drugs affect taste bud regeneration
Official title: The role of Kit signaling in taste bud regeneration
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11057729 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cancer treatments called tyrosine kinase inhibitors affect your sense of taste and why some people experience changes in taste during chemotherapy, with the hope of finding ways to help improve this side effect.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 18, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $597,166 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DC021865-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057729 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adult cancer patients undergoing treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors who are experiencing taste disturbances.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving chemotherapy or those with taste disorders unrelated to cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how certain cancer treatments, specifically tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), impact the ability of taste buds to regenerate. It focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind dysgeusia, or distorted taste, which is a common side effect of chemotherapy that can lead to significant health issues like malnutrition and weight loss. By studying the role of the Kit signaling pathway in taste bud cells, the research aims to uncover how these drugs disrupt taste perception and potentially identify ways to mitigate these effects. The study utilizes mouse models and organoid cultures to investigate the cellular changes induced by TKIs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved management of taste-related side effects in cancer patients, enhancing their quality of life and treatment adherence.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on Kit signaling in taste bud regeneration is novel, previous research has shown that understanding the mechanisms of taste disruption can lead to better supportive care for cancer patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barlow, Linda a — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Barlow, Linda 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.