New Ways to Manage Cancer Pain with Resolvin D1
Official title: Treatment of cancer pain by lipid mediator Resolvin D1: role of Prostaglandin and Endocannabinoid signaling
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11137832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for new and safer ways to relieve severe cancer pain, especially bone pain, without using opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $445,606 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA263777-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients experiencing severe cancer pain, particularly bone cancer pain, who are seeking alternatives to opioid treatments, could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose pain is not related to cancer or who do not experience severe pain may not directly benefit from this specific pain management approach.
What this research studies
This research focuses on Resolvin D1 (RvD1), a natural substance derived from omega-3 fatty acids, as a potential new treatment for cancer pain. We are exploring how RvD1 works in the body to reduce pain signals and enhance the body's natural pain-fighting systems. The goal is to understand the specific ways RvD1 can lessen pain without the common side effects associated with opioid medications. This work uses a mouse model to carefully observe how RvD1 affects pain and other body functions, aiming to identify its underlying mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new, effective, and non-addictive medications for severe cancer pain, offering a much-needed alternative to opioids.
How similar studies have gone: While Resolvin D1 is a known anti-inflammatory mediator, its specific application and mechanisms for cancer pain as an opioid alternative are being explored in this novel context.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khasabov, Sergey G — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Khasabov, Sergey G
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Intervention to reduce opioid stigma in cancer pain for advanced cancer patients
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Truncated TrkB and Oral Cancer Pain in Head and Neck Cancer
This project looks at a specific brain receptor told to influence pain in people with oral cancer to find new ways to reduce pain without heavy opioids.
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This NIH grant looks at how enzymes in oral cancer tumors may cause pain, aiming to connect specific proteases with how patients feel pain.
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.