Understanding infections after oral cancer surgery
Official title: Defining the mechanisms of surgical site infection after oral cancer surgery using peri-operative metagenomics
Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11077814 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into why some people get infections after surgery for oral cancer, especially those who have surgery to rebuild their mouths, and it aims to find ways to prevent these infections so patients can heal better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical College of Wisconsin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $194,720 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DE032844-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077814 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients scheduled for oral cavity reconstruction surgery due to oral cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing oral cancer surgery or those with pre-existing severe infections may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the causes of surgical site infections (SSI) that occur after surgeries for oral cancer. By using advanced genomic techniques, the study aims to identify the sources of bacteria that lead to these infections, which can significantly impact recovery and treatment outcomes. The research focuses on understanding how common oral bacteria and other pathogens contribute to SSI, with the goal of developing strategies to reduce these infections and improve patient care. Patients undergoing oral cavity reconstruction may be particularly affected by these infections, making this research crucial for their recovery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to reduced rates of surgical site infections, improving recovery times and overall outcomes for patients undergoing oral cancer surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that genomic techniques can effectively identify bacterial sources of infections, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zenga, Joseph — Medical College of Wisconsin
- Study coordinator: Zenga, Joseph
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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.