Breakthroughs in Oral Cancer: UT Health Lands $6M NIH Boost

Breakthrough Funding Drives Hope for Oral Cancer Research and Pain Management at UT Health San Antonio

In a significant leap forward for cancer research and patient care, the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio has secured $6 million in multi-year National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to confront the escalating challenge of oral cancer. This infusion of research funding will enable scientists and clinicians to explore new frontiers in oral cancer treatment and pain management, offering fresh hope to patients battling this deadly disease.

The Rising Burden of Oral Cancer in the United States

Oral cancer, particularly oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), remains a formidable public health threat. In 2025, an estimated 59,660 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer, with nearly 12,770 expected to die from the disease. These cancers now account for roughly 2.9% of all new cancer cases nationwide and have seen incidence rates steadily increase in recent years.

While the average age at diagnosis is around 65, clinicians are increasingly seeing cases in younger adults—a phenomenon often linked to rising rates of HPV infection as well as traditional risk factors like tobacco and alcohol use. Alarmingly, the five-year survival rate for oral cancer still hovers around 40%, largely due to late-stage detection when treatment options are less effective and chances of cure are reduced.

This means that, despite medical advances, living with oral cancer is challenging. Survivors often experience major issues with eating, speaking, and facial appearance, further underlining the urgent need for new treatment options and improved pain management strategies.

UT Health San Antonio Leads the Charge

Enter the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio—Texas’ highest-ranked dental institution—whose researchers are at the forefront of oral health innovation. This latest round of NIH grants will support three separate yet interconnected projects targeting the major hurdles patients face: disease progression, treatment side effects, and cancer-related pain.

show a research college receiving funding for oral cancer research

Targeting New Mechanisms for Tumor Control

Dr. Cara Gonzales, an associate professor of comprehensive dentistry at UT Health San Antonio, leads a pivotal two-year study funded by a $315,000 NIH grant. Her research focuses on attacking oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting a specific ion channel called TRPC1 (Transient Receptor Potential Canonical 1).

TRPC1 is a positively charged protein on the cell membrane that manages the delicate balance of sodium and calcium ions inside cells – processes essential to cancer cell survival and proliferation. Using both xenograft (human tumor cells implanted in mice) and syngeneic (tumors from genetically identical mice) models, Dr. Gonzales and her team will assess whether inactivating or pharmacologically inhibiting TRPC1 can selectively kill oral cancer cells, while sparing healthy immune cells.

“If successful, this novel approach could form the basis for future therapies designed to stop oral cancer in its tracks while minimizing harm to patients’ immune systems,” says Dr. Gonzales.

Unraveling and Treating Oral Mucositis

For many patients undergoing radiotherapy, a common and crippling side effect is radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM)—severe inflammation and ulceration of the mouth’s lining. This condition not only disrupts daily life but often forces interruptions or delays in life-saving cancer treatment.

Thanks to a five-year, $3.1 million NIH grant, principal investigators Dr. Shivani Ruparel and Dr. Brij B. Singh are investigating the role of the TRPM2 ion channel and inflammasome signaling in RIOM. By tracing how oxidative stress, calcium signaling, and immune system activation combine to drive mucositis, their work aims to identify new targets for prevention and therapy.

“Understanding TRPM2’s role could pave the way for interventions that prevent or minimize these painful ulcers, keeping patients healthier and their treatments on track,” says Dr. Singh

Innovating Better Pain Relief for Oral Cancer

Among the greatest challenges faced by those living with oral cancer is chronic, often excruciating pain that standard opioids rarely control for long. This pain, driven by tumor invasion and nerve changes, dramatically affects quality of life. Even when tumors are controlled, pain can linger or worsen.

A four-year, $2.6 million grant is supporting Dr. Ruparel’s investigation into the truncated TrkBT1 isoform, a version of the Tyrosine Kinase B receptor known to be associated with neuropathic pain and nerve injury. Dr. Ruparel’s team is examining how TrkBT1 contributes to both pain at the tumor site and the progression of oral cancer itself. Their ultimate goal: therapies that target this receptor to relieve pain while simultaneously slowing or halting tumor growth.

Such dual-action therapies could transform the standard of care for oral cancer—reducing patients’ reliance on opioids and improving their day-to-day well-being.

Collaborative Strength and a Vision for the Future

These new grants draw on the interdisciplinary resources of UT Health San Antonio, including the Center for Regenerative Sciences and the Center for Pain Therapeutics and Addiction Research. The School of Dentistry’s faculty works closely with teams across medicine, biomedical sciences, and public health, fostering a collaborative environment where scientific discoveries can quickly translate into clinical practice.

With its robust infrastructure, diverse patient populations, and innovative research programs, UT Health San Antonio stands out as a beacon for future breakthroughs in oral health, cancer care, and pain management. The impacts are global—faculty and students not only serve Texas and the U.S. but also collaborate with international research teams working to change the face of oral cancer treatment worldwide.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters

These new NIH investments come at a time when oral cancer incidence is rising, survival remains low, and pain is often undertreated. By unraveling the complex mechanisms that drive both disease and suffering, and by pioneering interventions that offer new hope, the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio is reshaping what’s possible for patients and families.

As Dr. Kenneth Hargreaves, dean of the dental school, notes, “Taken together, these grants represent new promise in addressing both the treatment and conditions of oral cancer that, unfortunately, is growing more common and carries relatively low survival rates. This research could lead to the development of new and transformative therapies”.

With sustained focus and innovative science, the future for oral cancer patients looks brighter than ever.