Preventing late swallowing problems after throat cancer radiation
Project 3: OPC-RAD
This project is testing whether proton radiation and a drug combo (pentoxifylline plus vitamin E) can lower the chance of serious long-term swallowing problems in people treated for 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 ID | NIH-11180365 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have oropharyngeal (throat) cancer treated with radiation, this project compares modern proton therapy to standard X-ray intensity-modulated radiation across many hospitals and tracks long-term swallowing outcomes. The team is also studying whether taking pentoxifylline with vitamin E can prevent or soften late radiation-related swallowing problems. The work follows survivors over time to see who develops late radiation-associated dysphagia and whether the different radiation type or the drug combo changes that risk. The effort involves multiple treatment centers so care is delivered where patients normally receive radiation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who are scheduled to receive definitive radiation (often with chemotherapy) are the most likely candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People without oropharyngeal cancer, those who already have severe, irreversible swallowing loss, or those unable to receive the study treatments are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce chronic swallowing disability, feeding-tube dependence, pneumonia risk, and improve long-term quality of life for throat cancer survivors.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller studies and dosimetry data suggest proton therapy can spare normal tissues compared with IMRT, but large randomized data on preventing late swallowing problems and the use of pentoxifylline plus vitamin E for this specific issue remain limited.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Frank, Steven Jay — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Frank, Steven Jay
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 below.