Using a lozenge to target and treat oral cancer cells
Official title: Targeting OSCC cells with a lozenge to treat oral cancer
Funded at Sentrimed, INC. · NIH-10915138 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new, gentle lozenge made from a natural ingredient to see if it can help treat oral cancer in patients whose cancer cells have a specific protein, offering a potentially easier option than traditional treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sentrimed, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mullica Hill, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $247,657 |
| NIH project number | 6R41CA268160-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10915138 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with oral lesions that express high levels of PDPN and are at risk of developing OSCC.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with oral cancers that do not express PDPN or those who have advanced-stage cancer may not benefit from this treatment.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a type of oral cancer that is often resistant to traditional therapies. The approach involves using a nontoxic lozenge containing Maackia amurensis seed lectin (MASL), which targets a specific protein (PDPN) found on OSCC cells. The study will assess the effects of this treatment on cancer cell characteristics and immune response in patients with high PDPN expression. If successful, this could provide a less invasive option for treating oral cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could offer a novel, less toxic treatment option for patients with oral cancer, potentially improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While targeting PDPN in oral cancer is a novel approach, similar strategies targeting specific cancer markers have shown promise in other types of cancer treatments.
Where this research is happening
-
Sentrimed, INC.
Mullica Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldberg, Gary — Sentrimed, INC.
- Study coordinator: Goldberg, Gary
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mobile platform using AI to screen for oral cancer in low-resource communities
A low-cost, AI-powered mobile tool helps frontline healthcare workers screen for oral cancer and triage patients in communities with limited access to specialists.
-
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.
-
Affordable AI-enabled point-of-care tool for quick oral cancer checks
A low-cost AI-powered imaging module helps clinicians screen for oral cancer at the point of care, especially in community and resource-limited settings.
-
How tissue stiffness affects oral cancer spread
A researcher at UC San Diego is studying how the stiffness of mouth tissue influences the behavior of oral cancer cells in people.
-
Intraoperative fluorescence lifetime imaging to guide oral cancer surgery
A surgeon-friendly imaging system uses fluorescence lifetime signals and real-time MRI/CT alignment to help remove only cancerous tissue during oral cancer operations.
-
Point-of-Care AI Image Tool for Early Oral Cancer Detection
A new, affordable AI-powered tool helps frontline clinicians screen for oral cancer early by using a low-cost imaging module at the point of care.
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.