Candidate: The candidate is committed to a career in academic dentistry, with a focus on patient-oriented research. This award will enable the candidate to achieve his immediate career objective, which is to gain additional training and experience in patient-oriented research. This will in turn enable him to achieve his long-term career goal, which is to become an independent funded investigator in patient-oriented research. Mentors: The primary mentor will be Dr. Douglas Peterson who has extensive expertise and experience in patient-oriented research related to oral mucositis. The co-mentor will be Dr. Carol Pilbeam who conducts NIH-funded basic science research related to the cyclooxygenase (COX) pathway. This complementary combination of clinical and basic science expertise will ensure a comprehensive training program. Environment: A well-established research program in the proposed research area is in place. An NIH-funded GCRC provides a comprehensive range of supportive services for clinical research. Strong evidence of institutional commitment to the candidate's career development is documented in the application. Career Development Plan: The didactic component will include a range of course-work in areas relevant to patient-oriented research. The clinical component will include experience in at least three separate clinical research studies. The laboratory component will include hands-on experience in RT-PCR and ELISA. Research Plan: Most patients treated with radiation therapy for head &neck cancer develop ulcerative oral lesions called oral mucositis (OM). OM is painful and compromises nutrition &quality of life. OM causes interruptions in radiation therapy, thus adversely affecting cancer therapy outcomes. Hypothesis: COX-2 contributes to mucosal injury in radiation-induced OM.
Specific Aims : 1. To determine effects of a selective COX-2 inhibitor on clinical mucosal injury in radiation-induced OM. 2. To examine mechanisms leading to mucosal injury in radiation-induced OM and effects of the selective COX-2 inhibitor on these mechanisms.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23DE016946-05
Application #
7665419
Study Section
NIDCR Special Grants Review Committee (DSR)
Program Officer
Hardwick, Kevin S
Project Start
2005-09-09
Project End
2011-08-31
Budget Start
2009-09-01
Budget End
2011-08-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$131,932
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Connecticut
Department
Dentistry
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
022254226
City
Farmington
State
CT
Country
United States
Zip Code
06030
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Lalla, Rajesh V; Choquette, Linda E; Curley, Kathleen F et al. (2014) Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of celecoxib for oral mucositis in patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Oral Oncol 50:1098-103
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Lalla, Rajesh V; Choquette, Linda E; Feinn, Richard S et al. (2012) Multivitamin therapy for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. J Am Dent Assoc 143:370-6
Huling, Laura B; Baccaglini, Lorena; Choquette, Linda et al. (2012) Effect of stressful life events on the onset and duration of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. J Oral Pathol Med 41:149-52
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Lalla, Rajesh V; Bensadoun, Rene-Jean (2011) Miconazole mucoadhesive tablet for oropharyngeal candidiasis. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 9:13-7
Peterson, Douglas E; Bensadoun, Rene-Jean; Lalla, Rajesh V et al. (2011) Supportive care treatment guidelines: value, limitations, and opportunities. Semin Oncol 38:367-73
Baccaglini, L; Lalla, R V; Bruce, A J et al. (2011) Urban legends: recurrent aphthous stomatitis. Oral Dis 17:755-70
Lalla, Rajesh V; Latortue, Marie C; Hong, Catherine H et al. (2010) A systematic review of oral fungal infections in patients receiving cancer therapy. Support Care Cancer 18:985-92

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