Adjabhak Wongviriya, D.D.S., M.Sc. Ph.D.
Contact: adjabhakw@nu.ac.th
Research interests: Cancer invasion, Oral mucosal inflammation, Stress reduction, Image analysis
Description of current research
My current research focuses on elucidating the signalling pathways that impede oral cancer invasion, with a particular emphasis on the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors (S1PR) 1-5. Cancer invasion is the primary determinant of patient mortality, and while conventional treatment modalities such as surgical excision, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy have yielded favourable outcomes in many cases, they are not without limitations. These limitations include the potential for wide-ranging anatomical disruption, patient-specific contraindications, and ineffectiveness in cases of recurrence.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a biolipid found in the human body that upon binding to S1PRs, triggers signals that regulate various cellular activities. While the role of S1PR1 has been extensively studied, the functions of other S1PR subtypes, particularly in oral epithelia and oral cancer, remain largely unexplored. My previous research demonstrated the expression of S1PR1-5 in oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Given the distinct properties reported for each subtype, understanding their specific roles in oral cancer biology could pave the way for targeted therapeutic approaches that complement conventional treatment modalities.
