The first comprehensive analysis of genetic variations involved in the development of oral cancer will be conducted under a $2.398 million grant awarded to researchers at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Principal investigator Jeffrey Myers, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, said the project will examine 100 oral cancer specimens for genetic sequence alterations in more than 6,000 genes and microRNAs to discover new targets for therapy and diagnostic testing for personalized medicine.
The grant is one of 84 awarded to M.D. Anderson researchers through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, including 10 earned under two highly competitive programs to rapidly advance cancer research over two years.
