Targeting a specific protein to improve treatment for oral cancer
Official title: Targeting the stress-specific function of replication protein A in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11034662 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting a specific protein that helps cancer cells repair their DNA, with the goal of making treatments like chemotherapy and radiation work better while being gentler on your body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $245,504 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE034524-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11034662 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma who are undergoing or considering treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those who do not have oral squamous cell carcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by focusing on a specific protein involved in DNA replication stress. The study aims to selectively target the replication protein A (RPA) complex, which plays a crucial role in DNA repair and replication. By enhancing the effectiveness of existing treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, the research seeks to improve patient outcomes while minimizing toxicity. Patients may benefit from a more effective treatment strategy that specifically targets cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less toxic treatment options for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting DNA replication stress responses in cancer treatment, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peng, Aimin — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Peng, Aimin
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Oral cancer recurrence predictor using tumor microbes and gene activity
This NIH grant explores how bacteria and immune signals inside oral cancer tumors relate to whether the cancer comes back, with the aim of making a practical risk predictor for patients.
-
Reducing bacteria inside oral cancer tumors to boost immune response
In people with head and neck cancer, this study tests whether lowering bacteria in tumors can help the immune system fight the cancer better.
-
REASON Score: an epigenetic and clinicopathologic approach to predict survival risk in early oral cancer
A new biomarker-based score using DNA methylation and clinicopathology to predict survival risk for people with early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma.
-
New vulnerability in oral cancer linked to p53 loss
A cancer research grant is exploring a surprising weakness in head and neck cancer to help people with HPV-negative oral squamous cell carcinoma.
-
Mouth bacteria that may speed up oral cancer
This work looks at whether specific mouth bacteria help oral squamous cell carcinoma grow and spread in people who have or are at risk for oral cancer.
-
Targeting a stress-specific function of a DNA replication protein to boost oral cancer therapy
A short, targeted NIH grant explores a new way to make existing treatments work better for oral cancer by attacking a special function of a DNA replication protein that cancer cells rely on.
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.