Oral cancer is an aggressive disease that often requires morbid treatment. There has been little improvement in the 5-year overall survival. Early detection and prevention are paramount for improving the success of therapies as well as survival.
The Stage 0/Oral Cancer Initiation Research Project aims to elucidate the critical molecular changes involved in the development of oral cancer. Currently, most research focuses on singular events or changes occurring in oncogenesis or prevention. Our mission is to better understand all aspects of oral oncogenesis including the: genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, structural and microbiome changes that occur in progressing oral premalignant lesions and their microenvironment. We aim to use this information to inform and develop innovative solutions to combat this disease earlier and more effectively. Moreover, this research forms the basis for our future clinical trial investigations, prioritizing factors, biomarkers and techniques to best identify high risk oral lesions.
Taylor Devine
Interests: Oral cancer prevention and treatment
Projects:
“Outcomes of Dental School Pilot Biopsy Program”
“Dental Workforce Availability and Head and Neck Cancer Outcomes: A County-Level Population Analysis”
Gabriella Casiano
Interests: Metabolic Syndrome and Genetic Predispositions of Oral Cancer
Projects:
“Identifying Meaningful Potentially Modifiable Metabolic Abnormalities In Oral Cancer Patients”
“Genetic Predisposition and Oral Cancer: A Penn Med BioBank Investigation”
Interests: Oral Cancer Risks and Treatment
Project: Association Between Metabolic Syndrome Factors and Oral Cancer
Ayyat Khan
Interests: Metabolic Dysfunction in Oral Dysplasia and Oral Cancer
Project: Identifying Potential Modifiable Metabolic Abnormalities in Oral Dysplasia and Cancer Patients
Michael Troka
Interests: Epigenetic-Metabolic Axis, Cell Signaling and Tumor Microenvironment, Bioinformatics, Multiomics
Projects:
Mehar Soni
Interests: Immunologic Factors of Oral Cancer Initiation
Project: “HLA Risks and Susceptibilities in the Progression and Malignant Transformation of Oral Leukoplakia”
Mugdha Raut
Interests: Structural Factors of Oral Cancer Initiation
Project: “Prognostic Significance of Cortactin in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma”
Angelina Debbas
Interests: Oral Cancer Prevention, Oral dysbiosis
Project: “Metformin and Melatonin Combination Therapy as Target for Oral Oncogenesis”
Jessica Winarto
Interests: Oral Cancer Treatment, Oncogenesis Pathway
Projects:
Jacquelyn Cuccurullo
Interests: Oral Cancer Prevention
Project: “Metformin and Melatonin Combination Therapy as Target for Oral Oncogenesis”
Interests: Immunologic Factors of Oral Cancer Initiation
Projects: “HLA Risks and Susceptibilities in the Progression and Malignant Transformation of Oral Leukoplakia”
Mehrnaz Zakershahrak, DDS
Interests: Tumor Microenvironment, RNA sequencing, Exosomes
Projects: “Exosome Contribution to Oral Cancer Initiation”
In this trial, patients will undergo standard of care biopsy and active surveillance with additional investigational testing of their tissue specimens. We will assess molecular changes in oral premalignant lesions via immunohistochemistry. We hypothesize that these tests may aid in identifying high risk oral leukoplakia at risk for transformation to oral cancer more than degree of dysplasia alone. Our future aim would be to combine any successful test with more advanced techniques such as RNA sequencing with the hope to effect meaningful change in preventing and treating oral cancer as it develops.
Dr. James Gates
Principal Investigator: James Gates DMD, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
Co-investigators: Faizan Alawi DDS, Jalal Jalaly MD, Ara Chalian MD, Cooper Schwarz MD, Keshia Mora MD, PhD, Michael Troka BA, Roopali Kulkarni DMD, MPH, Malek Kamoun MD, PhD
Michael E. Troka (D’26), “Progressive Partially Methylated Domain Erosion and Targeted ZNF471 Silencing Define Two Independent Epigenetic Programs in Oral Premalignancy,” James C. Gates (advisor)
Schoenleber Grant, Penn Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 12/9/2022.
Jessica Winarto (pictured); Angelina Debbas; Jacquelyn Cuccurullo; Shihong Shi; James Gates, DMD, MD, FACS; Qunzhou Zhang, PhD; Anh D. Le, DDS, PhD
Presented at AAODCR, March 2025.
Mehar Soni (pictured, center) , Bryce DeSantis, Malek Kamoun MD PhD, and James Gates DMD, MD
Soni was the recipient of 2025 Penn Dental Medicine Research Day “Oral Cancer Award”
Jessica Winarto (pictured, right) Angelina Debbas; Jacquelyn Cuccurullo; Shihong Shi; James Gates, DMD, MD, FACS; Qunzhou Zhang, PhD; Anh D. Le, DDS, PhD
Winarto was the recipient of 2025 Penn Dental Medicine Research Day “AAODCR Student Research Day Award.”
Brenda Okonkwo (pictured) and James Gates.
Presented at Advances in Clinical Care and Education Day, Penn Dental Medicine, May 15, 2025.
Mugdha Raut and James Gates.
Mugdha Raut (pictured, second from right) was the recipient of 2025 Penn Dental Medicine Research Day “Vernon Brightman Award”
Jessica Winarto, Jacquelyn Cuccurullo, and Angelina Debbas (pictured left to right)
Presented at Penn Dental Medicine Research Day 2024.
