Understanding how taste cells are renewed in adults and affected by cancer treatments
Characterization of progenitor populations in adult taste epithelium
This study is looking at how our taste cells are replaced and how cancer treatments can mess with this process, with the goal of finding ways to help people keep their sense of taste while they’re undergoing chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-10873086 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how taste receptor cells in adults are continuously replaced by stem and progenitor cells, and how this process is disrupted by cancer therapies. The study focuses on specific signaling pathways, namely Wnt and Hedgehog, which are known to play a role in both cancer and taste cell renewal. By examining these pathways in mouse models, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind taste dysfunction caused by chemotherapy and develop strategies to alleviate these effects for patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adult cancer patients who are experiencing taste dysfunction as a side effect of their treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing cancer treatment or do not experience taste dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved management of taste dysfunction in cancer patients, enhancing their quality of life during treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that targeting similar pathways in other contexts can lead to significant improvements in understanding and managing side effects of cancer treatments.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barlow, Linda a — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Barlow, Linda a
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.