# Pathophysiological profiling of vocal fold hyperkeratosis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2024 · $542,284

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Vocal fold (VF) hyperkeratosis – an accumulation of epithelial surface keratin resulting in clinical
leukoplakia – is primarily managed using destructive techniques that risk iatrogenic injury, fibrosis, and voice
impairment. Given the potential morbidity of biopsy and lesion removal, there is a compelling need for new
approaches to the workup and treatment of VF leukoplakic disorders that are non-destructive and grounded in
disease pathophysiology. In the current application, we propose translational research that will advance this
goal. Our preliminary data indicate that the essential nutrient vitamin A is a key regulator of epithelial health
and that systemic vitamin A deficiency can directly contribute to hyperkeratosis. Based on evidence of vitamin
A’s importance to VF stellate and epithelial cell biology, and its direct relevance to VF hyperkeratosis, we
propose three Specific Aims that will advance this research area towards greater clinical applicability by: (i)
assessing the systemic vitamin A status and lesion histopathology of patients with VF hyperkeratosis, and (ii)
examining vitamin A trafficking to, and uptake by, normal and hyperkeratotic VF mucosa in a rat model. Our
overarching goal is to determine if there is a pathophysiologic rationale for vitamin A supplementation in the
treatment of VF hyperkeratosis. Such a therapy would be transformative – both as a first-line approach for
patients who require conservative management, as well as an adjuvant therapy in patients for whom surgical
treatment is indicated.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10756952
- **Project number:** 5R01DC019357-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** SHERRY A TANUMIHARDJO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $542,284
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-01-01 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10756952

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10756952, Pathophysiological profiling of vocal fold hyperkeratosis (5R01DC019357-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10756952. Licensed CC0.

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