# Microbiome-host interactions in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-transcriptomic exploratory study

> **NIH NIH R03** · TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH · 2020 · $175,413

## Abstract

Project summary
Oral cancer (predominantly squamous cell carcinoma; OSCC) is the 14th most prevalent malignancy
worldwide accounting for more than 300,000 new cases and 145,000 deaths annually. Despite advances
in cancer treatment modalities, OSCC continues to have poor prognosis with 5-year survival rates less
than 50%. Although use of tobacco and alcohol consumption constitute the major risk factors, there is
emerging evidence for the role of microbiome in OSCC. Exploration of such a role has been facilitated by
the advent of next generation sequencing and availability of big data analysis tools. However, studies on
the association between the microbiome and OSCC has so far focused on compositional analysis, and
has been largely limited to the bacterial component of the microbiome. Furthermore, the results from
these studies have not been consistent. Our preliminary work demonstrates presence of complex
community of microbes other than bacteria including fungi, archaea, viruses and even protists. In
addition, it shows that functional analysis generates results that are more consistent, and more
importantly, that are directly relevant to the carcinogenic process. In this study, we propose to use RNA
sequencing coupled with comprehensive bioinformatic analysis to study the metatranscriptome of OSCC
tissues. Specifically, the study will characterize the transcriptional activity (function) as well as
composition of the multi-kingdom microbiome associated with OSCC (aim 1), and correlate it with the
gene expression of the host (aim 2). The study will provide a new insight into the role microbiome in
OSCC by providing preliminary data on the possible mechanisms by which the tumor's microbial
community may influence on its behavior.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9959393
- **Project number:** 5R03DE028987-02
- **Recipient organization:** TEMPLE UNIV OF THE COMMONWEALTH
- **Principal Investigator:** Nezar Al-Hebshi
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $175,413
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9959393

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9959393, Microbiome-host interactions in oral squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-transcriptomic exploratory study (5R03DE028987-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9959393. Licensed CC0.

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