Using a special patch to prevent oral cancer from precancerous lesions

Assessment of Chemopreventive Effects of a Mucoadhesive Fenretinide Patch on Premalignant Oral Epithelial Lesions

NIH-funded research Ohio State University · NIH-10885898

This study is testing a special patch that delivers medication directly to the mouth to see if it can help prevent early signs of oral cancer from getting worse, and it's for people with premalignant oral lesions.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOhio State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-10885898 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the effectiveness of a mucoadhesive fenretinide patch in preventing the progression of premalignant oral epithelial lesions, known as oral intraepithelial neoplasia (OIN), into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The approach focuses on local delivery of the drug directly to the affected area, which aims to achieve higher therapeutic levels while minimizing systemic side effects. Patients will be monitored for changes in their lesions and overall oral health throughout the treatment period. The study seeks to identify which lesions are at higher risk of transformation and to provide a more effective preventive strategy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with oral intraepithelial neoplasia who are at high risk for developing oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Not a fit: Patients with no history of premalignant oral lesions or those already diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of oral cancer in patients with premalignant lesions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that local delivery methods can be more effective than systemic approaches in cancer prevention, suggesting potential for success in this novel application.

Where this research is happening

Columbus, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.