Optimizing life for throat (oropharyngeal) cancer survivors
Official title: OPC SURVIVOR: Optimizing OroPharyngeal Cancer SURVIVORship
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11180353 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to find better ways to prevent and treat long-term jaw, mouth, and swallowing problems in adults who have survived oropharyngeal (throat) cancer.
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 | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $2,341,478 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA285249-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180353 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults (21+) who have been treated for oropharyngeal (throat) cancer—especially HPV-related cases—or who are living with or at risk for late treatment-related problems like osteoradionecrosis or chronic dysphagia.
✕Less likely to help
People with cancers outside the oropharynx, children, or patients still in initial curative treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this survivorship-focused program.
What this research studies
You would be part of a program that follows adult survivors of oropharyngeal cancer to understand and reduce late side effects such as mandibular bone damage and delayed swallowing problems. The team combines regular clinical follow-up, imaging, and collection of patient samples with detailed treatment records to link symptoms to prior surgery, radiation, or therapies. They will pilot and refine clinical approaches including changes to radiation/surgical practice and rehabilitation to lower long-term harm. Laboratory and translational work at collaborating sites will help explain biological causes and suggest new ways to protect tissue and restore function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lower the risk of long-term jaw and swallowing complications and improve quality of life and return-to-work outcomes for survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Prior attempts to reduce treatment intensity have sometimes worsened outcomes and advances like transoral surgery or conformal radiotherapy still leave substantial late toxicities, so this program targets these persistent survivorship problems.
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.
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OPC Survivor: Optimizing Long-Term Health After Oropharyngeal Cancer
This program studies how to improve long-term health and quality of life for adults treated for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer.
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Improving the quality of life for survivors of oropharyngeal cancer
This study is looking to improve the lives of people who have had oropharyngeal cancer linked to HPV by finding better ways to manage the tough side effects they face after treatment, so they can enjoy a better quality of life.
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Personal symptom networks to guide survivorship care for childhood cancer survivors
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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.