Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY Despite improving survival rates due to recent medical advancements, pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients continue to experience treatment-related toxicities, particularly those associated with high-dose Methotrexate (HD-MTX). Chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (CIOM) is one such toxicity that can cause excoriated mouth sores and debilitating pain, thus decreasing quality of life and increasing healthcare costs. Children with B-ALL experience CIOM at higher rates than adults, yet mucositis clinical practice guidelines have primarily been developed using data from adult oncology patients. Food insecurity, which is observed more frequently in oncology populations and households with children, may contribute to these adverse CIOM outcomes by influencing diet quality and the oral microbiome (i.e., a collection of microbes within the oral cavity that serve as a protective mechanism when balanced and symbiotic). Food insecurity has been linked to poor diet quality in children and suboptimal health outcomes in adult cancer patients. In turn, poor diet quality has been associated with a dysbiotic oral microbiome and increased CIOM incidence and severity in adult cancer patients. Preliminary research has demonstrated a relationship between the oral microbiome and CIOM in pediatric oncology populations. However, the sociodemographic homogeneity of the participants, the omission of environmental and contextual covariates, and the exclusion of patient-reported outcomes limit the strength of the findings. Furthermore, research examining the influence of food insecurity and diet quality on CIOM is rarely conducted in pediatric oncology populations. The goal of this prospective observational study is to examine the interplay between food insecurity, diet quality, the oral microbiome, and patient-reported CIOM in 45 pediatric B-ALL patients before (T1) and two weeks after (T2) the first HD-MTX dose. The specific aims are: (1) to assess the association of food insecurity (area-, household-, and child- level) and diet quality with CIOM incidence and severity; (2) to investigate the association between the diversity and composition of the oral microbiome (16S rRNA sequencing of saliva) and CIOM incidence and severity; and (3) (exploratory aim) to explore whether food insecurity and diet quality alter the diversity and composition of the oral microbiome and subsequently impact CIOM incidence and severity. Participants will be recruited from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta using a non-probability quota sampling method designed to reflect the sociodemographic distribution of pediatric leukemia cases as reported by the National Cancer Institute. Findings will help identify potential pathways that influence CIOM in the pediatric B-ALL population, supporting the development of future screening tools and interventional research that targets environmental, dietary, and biological factors to mitigate adverse outcomes. This project involves a team of expert researchers from Emory University and a comprehensive two-year training plan to prepare an independent researcher in pediatric oncology with expertise in environmental health, diet quality, microbiomics, and symptom science.
Grant Summary
Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients is a NINR - National Institute of Nursing Research grant providing up to $53K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2028-07-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
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Up to $53K
2028-07-31
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients from NINR - National Institute of Nursing Research, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NINR - National Institute of Nursing Research before the deadline.
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Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients?
Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients is offered by NINR - National Institute of Nursing Research and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients provide?
Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients provides up to $53K per award from NINR - National Institute of Nursing Research. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients deadline?
Applications for Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients are due 2028-07-31 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NINR - National Institute of Nursing Research, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients?
To apply for Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and the Oral Microbiome: Implications for Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis in Pediatric B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patients, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NINR - National Institute of Nursing Research.