Protecting the Mouth from Radiation Side Effects
Official title: Radioprotective effect of p53 against oral mucositis
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11111172 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks for ways to protect the mouth from painful sores that can happen during radiation treatment for head and neck cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 7, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $509,544 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033404-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111172 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who experience or are at risk of developing oral mucositis could potentially benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer would not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Head and neck cancer treatments often involve radiation, which can cause severe mouth sores called oral mucositis. These sores can make it hard to eat, lead to pain, and sometimes interrupt cancer treatment. This project aims to understand how a protein called p53, which is important for cell health, might help protect healthy mouth tissues from radiation damage. By learning more about p53's role, researchers hope to develop new ways to prevent or reduce these painful side effects for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that prevent or lessen severe mouth sores for patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Current treatment options for radiation-induced oral mucositis are limited, indicating this approach explores a novel strategy to widen the therapeutic window of head and neck radiation therapy.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Chang-Lung — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Lee, Chang-Lung
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding how biological sex affects radiation-induced oral mucositis
This grant explores why women and men experience different severity of mouth sores during head and neck cancer radiotherapy and how to tailor treatments to reduce pain and healing time.
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First-in-human topical gel for preventing and treating radiation-induced oral ulcers in cancer patients
A new oral gel applied to the mouth is being tested to prevent and treat painful mouth ulcers caused by cancer radiation therapy, with early safety and dosing data gathered in people.
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New medicine to prevent or lessen painful mouth sores from radiation
This project develops a potential drug to prevent or shorten painful mouth sores that happen after radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.
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Protecting the mouth from radiation in head and neck cancer
A Duke University-based study looks at how the p53 protein may guard the mouth from radiation-related damage in people with head and neck cancer.
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Prophylactic and therapeutic oral gel to prevent and treat radiation-induced mouth ulcers in cancer patients
A new topical gel shown in animals may prevent or treat painful mouth ulcers caused by cancer radiation therapy, with plans to move toward human testing.
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A new medicine to prevent and treat radiation-related mouth sores
A new oral drug is being developed to prevent or shorten painful mouth sores in people getting radiation to the head and neck.
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.