In the ongoing research series “Why Research Matters,” Dr. Manish Bais, an associate professor of translational dental medicine at Boston University, discusses his work on oral cancer treatments, particularly focusing on epigenetic regulation. As oral cancer rates rise in developed countries, the effectiveness of standard immunotherapy is diminishing, prompting Bais and his team to investigate alternative strategies, specifically for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

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Dr. Bais noted that the understanding of epigenetic regulation remains limited. "With this group of proteins, we don’t know much about the mechanisms. When we started this study, there were only a few publications. Now, everyone is interested," he said. His research examines the role of Lysine Specific Demethylase 1 (LSD1), a protein linked to a weakened immune response that may facilitate cancer progression.

"This protein, LSD1, is critical for driving the transition from pre-cancer to cancer stage," Bais explained. The research team's hypothesis is that inhibiting LSD1 could potentially reverse or halt cancer progression.

Utilizing mouse models, Bais and his colleagues tested whether inhibiting LSD1 could reverse precancerous lesions. Their findings indicate that LSD1 plays a significant role in the development of OSCC and that methods of restricting this protein could offer a new therapeutic approach.

Bais emphasized the importance of routine oral cancer screenings during dental visits, which can catch precancerous conditions early. Despite the potential for improved treatment through epigenetic regulation, he acknowledged the late-stage diagnosis typical for oral cancer, which significantly affects survival rates. "Oral cancer has a five-year survival rate of less than 50 percent," he remarked, underscoring the challenges facing patients.

Bais's journey into dental research began after he completed his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Nagpur Veterinary College in 1998 and initially worked in veterinary practice. His desire to develop new medications for both animals and humans led him to further his education in biotechnology and veterinary medicine at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, where he focused on vaccinations and transitioned into cancer research.

Joining Boston University in 2006 as a postdoctoral student, and later becoming a research assistant professor in 2013, Bais integrated his veterinary background into his dental research, allowing him to approach problems from a unique perspective.

Looking ahead, Bais intends to explore additional animal models that can more accurately reflect human cancer, such as those with feline oral squamous cell carcinoma, with the aim of advancing his research to clinical trials within three to five years. His recent work on LSD1 inhibition has garnered attention, with a manuscript accepted for publication in *Cancer Research*. Future efforts will delve deeper into LSD1’s molecular mechanisms in OSCC and the efficacy of its inhibition as a treatment strategy.

Dr. Bais has collaborated with several researchers at GSDM throughout his career, contributing to a robust research team focused on combating oral cancer.