OncologyMCG Dental Student Places First In National Research Competition
He"s already shown that a blue curing light stunts tumor growth. Now the senior in the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry is trying to identify the proteins responsible.
Alpesh Patel recently placed first in the American Association for Dental Research National Student Research Group DENTSPLY/Caulk Basic Science Research Competition. Only seven students nationwide are selected to participate annually.
He found that blue curing light, used to harden dental fillings, activates signaling pathways that can cause cancer cells to die.
Alpesh, who has primarily been working with Dr. Jill Lewis, associate professor of oral biology in the School of Dentistry, found that oral cancer cell growth was reduced in mice treated with blue curing light compared to untreated mice. Now, he"s studying which proteins cause this response in hopes of improving treatment for oral cancer.
Today"s treatment generally includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapies. "Oral cancer survivors often suffer significant morbidity due to impaired speech, swallowing, taste or facial disfigurement following treatment," Alpesh says. "No substantial advances have been made in oral cancer treatment for years, but using a blue curing light to shrink or destroy oral cancer cells could be a very effective and less-invasive treatment alternative."
After graduation, Alpesh plans to specialize in orthodontics and is eager to continue researching during his residency.
"After I had braces, I saw how much of an effect they had on my self-esteem, and I would love to help others not only fix their smiles but also improve their confidence," says Alpesh. "And I"ve also always been interested in research and how it can help patients."
Amy Connell
Medical College of Georgia