Preventing Oral Cancer with a Special Mouth Film

Formulation, Evaluation, and Phase 0 Trial of Nanoparticle Releasing Oral Thin Film for OSCC Chemoprevention

NIH-funded research Ohio State University · NIH-11095713

This research is developing a special film that sticks inside the mouth to deliver medicine and help prevent oral cancer in people at high risk.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOhio State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11095713 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Oral cancer, or oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is a challenging disease, and current treatments often involve sacrificing important facial structures. This research focuses on preventing OSCC before it fully develops, during a 'pre-transformation' stage. The approach involves creating a thin film that sticks to the inside of the mouth, releasing tiny medicine particles directly to the at-risk areas. This local delivery method aims to provide effective prevention with fewer body-wide side effects compared to medicines taken by mouth or injection.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Individuals at high risk for oral cancer, such as those with a history of tobacco or alcohol use or certain genetic conditions like Fanconi anemia, and who are 21 years or older, might be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients who already have advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma may not benefit from this preventative approach, which targets early stages of disease development.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: This approach could offer a new way to prevent oral cancer with fewer side effects than current treatments, preserving quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While previous systemic prevention methods had limited success due to side effects, this novel local delivery system using nanoparticles aims to overcome those challenges.

Where this research is happening

Columbus, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.