Turning on a natural enzyme to protect salivary glands during head and neck radiation
Project 2: ALDH3A1 Activation for Radioprotection of Salivary Glands and Other Head and Neck Epithelial Tissues
This project gives a small compound that activates the enzyme ALDH3A1 to help adults keep salivary gland function when they receive radiation for head and neck cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11178473 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers focus on preventing dry mouth, the common long-term side effect of radiation for head and neck cancer. In lab and animal work they found stem/progenitor cells in salivary glands and that activating ALDH3A1 before, during, and after radiation reduced toxic aldehydes, cut cell death, and preserved saliva output. They screened natural plant extracts to find small-molecule ALDH3A1 activators and tested them in mouse models, including checks that the activator does not protect tumors from radiation. The program aims to translate these findings toward treatments given around radiotherapy to protect resting and stimulated salivary gland function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults scheduled to receive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, especially when treatment is likely to affect the parotid or submandibular salivary glands, would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People whose salivary glands are already permanently destroyed before treatment or whose cancers are outside the head and neck region are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could substantially reduce chronic dry mouth and its complications after head and neck radiotherapy, improving daily comfort and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work in mice showed that ALDH3A1 activation or salivary stem/progenitor cell approaches can preserve saliva after radiation, but human clinical results are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Le, Quynh-Thu Xuan — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Le, Quynh-Thu Xuan
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.