Refining a resolvin plus steroid treatment to help Sjögren's dry mouth
Official title: Optimization of a Treatment for Sjögren's Disease Using Aspirin-Triggered Resolvin D1 and Dexamethasone
Funded at University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11247136 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Finding the smallest effective dose of an aspirin-related molecule paired with a low steroid dose to reduce salivary gland inflammation and help people with Sjögren's make more saliva.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $489,587 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033583-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11247136 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with Sjögren's disease who have dry mouth and reduced salivary gland function would be the likely candidates for future trials of this treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe, irreversible salivary gland damage, known allergy to corticosteroids or study drugs, or those who cannot tolerate systemic therapy may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project works toward a medicine that could lower inflammation in salivary glands and restore saliva in people with Sjögren's. Researchers will use disease models and measure where the drugs travel in the body, then apply computer-based (mathematical) models to predict the lowest doses that still work. The team focuses on a combination of aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 (an anti-inflammatory natural molecule) plus dexamethasone (a steroid) so the steroid dose can be minimized. The hope is to keep benefits while cutting cost and side effects of long-term steroid use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce a safer, lower-cost treatment that reduces gland inflammation and improves saliva production for people with Sjögren's.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier work showed that the drug combo reversed Sjögren's-like features in a mouse model at disease onset, but optimizing doses for safety, cost, and long-term use is a new step.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Missouri-Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baker, Olga Juliana — University of Missouri-Columbia
- Study coordinator: Baker, Olga Juliana
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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.