Understanding and managing oral immune-related side effects from cancer treatments
Official title: Identifying and modulating pathologic T cells that govern oral mucosal immune related adverse events from immune checkpoint blockade
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11139500 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain cancer treatments can cause problems in the mouth for patients with head and neck cancers, and it aims to understand why this happens and find ways to predict and manage these side effects to help improve patients' quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $689,062 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033038-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11139500 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include cancer patients undergoing immune checkpoint blockade therapy, particularly those experiencing oral mucosal adverse events.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not receiving immune checkpoint blockade therapy or those without oral mucosal adverse events may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that occur in the oral mucosa as a result of immune checkpoint blockade therapies used in cancer treatment, particularly for head and neck cancers. The study aims to identify the T cell mechanisms that lead to these adverse effects and to discover predictive markers for their occurrence. By analyzing human samples, utilizing mouse models, and creating patient-derived organoids, the research seeks to improve treatment regimens for patients experiencing these toxicities. This work is crucial as oral mucosal irAEs can significantly impact patients' quality of life and treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better management strategies for oral mucosal side effects, improving the overall treatment experience for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding immune-related adverse events in other contexts, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kulkarni, Rajan P. — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Kulkarni, Rajan P.
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.