Tracking changes in mouth cells that lead to oral cancer
Oral Dysplasias to Carcinomas: Multi-omics Study of Progression
Researchers combine clinical records, tissue samples, and multiple molecular tests from people with abnormal mouth lesions to find which lesions are most likely to become oral cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgetown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11143894 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project follows people with abnormal cells in the mouth over time and links their medical records, biopsy results, and lifestyle information. The team performs multiple molecular tests (for example, genetic, epigenetic, and protein analyses) on tissue samples and combines those results with pathology and patient histories. They use a large, detailed group of patients and then check the findings in a separate population to make sure the results hold up. If you take part, researchers may collect tissue samples, past records, and follow-up information to track how lesions change.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with oral epithelial dysplasia or with suspicious mouth lesions who can provide biopsy samples and attend follow-up visits.
Not a fit: People without abnormal mouth lesions or those unable to provide tissue samples or attend follow-up visits are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better tools to predict which mouth lesions will become cancer and help guide earlier prevention or closer monitoring.
How similar studies have performed: Smaller studies have linked individual gene changes to progression but few large, long-term multi-omics studies exist, so this integrated approach is relatively new though grounded in earlier findings.
Where this research is happening
Washington, United States
- Georgetown University — Washington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rozek, Laura — Georgetown University
- Study coordinator: Rozek, Laura
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.