Oral Lesions to Cancer: A Longitudinal Multi-Omics Study
Official title: Oral Dysplasias to Carcinomas: Multi-omics Study of Progression
Funded at Georgetown University · NIH-11381834 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will follow people with precancerous oral lesions over time to understand how some lesions become oral cancer and how to predict and prevent this progression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $652,914 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DE033348-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381834 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with oral epithelial dysplasia or precancerous oral lesions who are willing to participate in longitudinal follow-up and provide tissue samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without oral precancerous conditions or unwilling to participate in long-term follow-up may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a long-term group of patients with oral epithelial dysplasia to collect clinical data, tissue samples, and multiple molecular measurements. By aligning patient histories with histology, epidemiology, and molecular data, the study aims to identify hallmarks that signal progression to oral cancer. The team will validate findings in a second population to ensure they apply beyond the initial group. The goal is to improve risk prediction, prevention strategies, and biomarkers that reflect carcinogenesis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive earlier warnings, personalized prevention plans, and new biomarkers to guide care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous longitudinal multi-omics studies are rare; this study builds on limited existing work with a larger, more integrated approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgetown University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rozek, Laura — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Rozek, Laura
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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.