Unraveling the Mystery of Oral Cancer Pain

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from New York University's College of Dentistry have been awarded a $1.25 million grant to study the molecular mechanisms of oral cancer pain, with the ultimate goal of developing more effective pain medications. Led by Dr. Brian L. Schmidt, a Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Dr. Markus Hardt, a protein chemist, the team aims to understand why oral cancer is often accompanied by excruciating pain, despite being a primary site of the cancer. By investigating the protein and peptide molecules that produce pain, the researchers hope to identify new targets for analgesics, providing relief to the millions of cancer patients suffering from chronic pain.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has awarded a $1.25 million grant to Dr. Brian L. Schmidt and Dr. Markus Hardt for a five-year study on the molecular mechanisms of oral cancer pain.
  • Oral cancer is often accompanied by excruciating pain, with pain being the most common presenting symptom associated with this cancer.
  • Dr. Schmidt hypothesizes that the cause of oral cancer pain and pain generated by other cancers may be produced along similar molecular pathways in the body.
  • The ultimate goal of the research is to spur the development of more sophisticated analgesics to alleviate the pain experienced by patients with oral cancer.
  • Dr. Schmidt will enroll oral cancer patients in the NIH-funded study through the NYU Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, using an oral cancer pain questionnaire to determine patients' pain levels.
  • The study marks the first use of real-time, intraoperative microdialysis for the analysis of cancer, allowing researchers to directly sample the cancer microenvironment.

Statistics:

  • $1.25 million: the amount of the five-year grant awarded to Dr. Brian L. Schmidt and Dr. Markus Hardt.
  • 2004: the year Dr. Schmidt created and published the oral cancer pain questionnaire in the Journal of Pain.
  • 2007: the year Dr. Schmidt validated the oral cancer pain questionnaire by measuring patients' pain prior to and after complete removal of the cancer.

Sources:

  • New York University College of Dentistry
  • National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
  • Journal of Pain (2004)
  • Journal of Pain (2007)