Truncated TrkB and Oral Cancer Pain in Head and Neck Cancer
Official title: Contribution of Truncated TrkB Isoform in Oral Cancer Pain
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11393082 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at a specific brain receptor told to influence pain in people with oral cancer to find new ways to reduce pain without heavy opioids.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $641,172 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE034087-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393082 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with head and neck/oral cancer experiencing cancer-related pain and no contraindications to study procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without cancer-related pain or those not meeting safety criteria may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
People with head and neck cancer often suffer from severe pain that can be hard to manage with opioids. The study focuses on a receptor called TrkB and its truncated form, which may drive pain signals in the mouth and throat area and affect the tumor environment. Researchers will study pain behaviors, nerve changes, and gene activity in models that mimic patient pain to understand how TrkBT1 contributes to discomfort. If the truncated TrkB pathway is important, new targeted therapies could reduce pain for patients and potentially improve quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new pain-relief options that lessen the need for high-dose opioids in oral cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest TrkB signaling is linked to cancer pain, but the specific role of truncated TrkBT1 in oral cancer pain is still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ruparel, Shivani B — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Ruparel, Shivani B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Endosomal signaling and cancer pain control in oral cancer
A study to understand how signals inside nerve cells and supportive cells contribute to pain in people with oral cancer.
-
Understanding how mouth cancer proteases drive pain in patients
This NIH grant looks at how enzymes in oral cancer tumors may cause pain, aiming to connect specific proteases with how patients feel pain.
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Blocking HB-EGF and trigeminal EGFR to reduce oral cancer pain and opioid tolerance
Blocking HB-EGF and EGFR signals in trigeminal nerve cells to try to reduce severe mouth cancer pain and slow opioid tolerance for people with oral cancer.
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Continuous flow production of antibody-loaded nanoparticles for non-opioid oral cancer pain relief
A non-opioid approach using antibody-packed nanoparticles is being developed to relieve oral cancer pain and improve quality of life.
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Investigating a specific protein's role in pain from oral cancer
This study is looking at how a protein called TrkBT1 affects pain in people with head and neck cancer, with the goal of finding better ways to manage that pain without relying too much on opioids.
-
Understanding the causes of pain in oral cancer patients
This study is looking into why kids with oral cancer feel different levels of pain, so we can find better ways to help them feel more comfortable.
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.