NYU Oral Cancer Center Awarded $2.5 Million NIH Grant To Study Cancer Pain: WebDentistry: Home of SmileFinder!
Summary
Albertson and Schmidt initiated their investigation of artemin—a protein encoded by a gene of the same name—when a molecular analysis of oral cancers from patients seen at the NYU Oral Cancer Center revealed elevated concentrations of artemin in tumors of the patients with pain. A sample of the patient’s cancer is collected during surgery and molecularly compared with normal oral tissue. After analyzing the questionnaire and molecular data, Albertson and Schmidt discovered a strong correlation between artemin levels and pain. Oral cancer patients endure severe chronic pain during everyday functions such as chewing and speaking. In their newly funded research, Albertson and Schmidt will evaluate how overexpression of artemin contributes to tumor growth as well as pain secondary to changes in neuronal function.