Non-invasive, chairside test to quickly screen for oral cancer
Official title: BDI-fluorescence immunoassay: A rapid noninvasive oral cancer detection test.
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11390383 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A rapid, noninvasive oral check using a fluorescence immunoassay to help decide if a biopsy is needed for suspected oral cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $599,841 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA306044-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11390383 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with suspected oral cavity lesions or those at risk for oral squamous cell carcinoma in settings where access to pathology is limited.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with lesions clearly requiring biopsy despite a negative chairside result may not benefit from the test outcome.
What this research studies
This project aims to develop a fast, chairside test that uses a small oral cell sample to distinguish cancerous from non-cancerous tissue within minutes. The test measures a ratio of human beta defensins (hBD-3 and hBD-2) from oral cytobrush samples, using a fluorescent immunoassay platform. If successful, clinicians could use the result alongside clinical examination to determine whether a biopsy is necessary, potentially reducing unnecessary procedures and anxiety for patients. The work builds on prior discovery and validation showing changes in hBD markers during early oral cancer development and seeks to translate this into a practical bedside tool. The study will be conducted at CASE Western Reserve University with collaboration likely across clinical sites.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive quicker, less invasive screening decisions and fewer unnecessary biopsies.
How similar studies have gone: Prior lab-based work has shown that the hBD-3/hBD-2 ratio changes with early OSCC, supporting translation to a rapid test.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weinberg, Aaron — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Weinberg, Aaron
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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.