An image-based test to predict risk in HPV-positive throat cancer
Official title: Validation of a clinically accessible prognostic biomarker for oropharynx cancer using molecular and spatial data
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11469884 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to develop a simple image- and molecular-based test to show which people with HPV-positive oropharynx (throat) cancer are more likely to have a recurrence so their treatment can be personalized.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | March 12, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $129,226 |
| NIH project number | 3U01DE034565-02S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11469884 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with HPV-positive oropharynx (throat) cancer, particularly those facing decisions about treatment de-intensification, would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with HPV-negative oropharynx cancers or those without available tumor tissue or clinical follow-up data would not be eligible or likely to benefit from this specific biomarker.
What this research studies
If you have HPV-positive oropharynx cancer, this work uses tumor molecular and spatial features from over 1,000 patients to create a prognostic “HPVhet” score. Researchers will combine molecular data with patterns seen on standard H&E pathology slides and apply computational methods to define reliable risk groups across diverse populations. The team will validate the score using patient outcomes from cohorts in the U.S., Europe, and South America. They will also translate the score into an imaging biomarker that can be detected on routine pathology slides to support clinical decision-making.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could help doctors identify who can safely receive less intensive treatment and who needs standard or stronger therapy, reducing unnecessary side effects for many patients.
How similar studies have gone: HPV status is already known to relate to outcomes and some molecular or image-based markers have shown promise, but a broadly validated H&E-detectable prognostic score for HPV+ oropharynx cancer is a novel advance.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Puram, Sidharth Venkata — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Puram, Sidharth Venkata
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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A new tumor marker (HPVhet) to predict outcomes in HPV-related throat cancer
This project looks at whether a tumor marker called HPVhet can better predict which people with HPV-positive throat cancer will do well and which might need stronger treatment.
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Neoadjuvant immunoradiotherapy for HPV-related throat cancer
A new approach combines targeted radiation before surgery with PD-1 blockade to treat HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce long-term side effects.
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A test to predict outcomes for HPV-positive oropharynx (throat) cancer using tumor molecular and imaging features
This project will see if an 'HPVhet' score derived from tumor biology and routine pathology images can help predict outcomes for people with HPV-positive oropharynx cancer.
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Improving treatment for HPV-related throat cancer before surgery
This research explores a new way to combine radiation and immunotherapy before surgery for people with HPV-related throat cancer.
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Detecting HPV-related throat cancer earlier in people with and without HIV
This study is looking to find better ways to detect HPV-related throat cancer early, especially for people living with HIV, by checking for certain markers in their saliva and blood, which could help improve screening methods in the future.
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Finding a new way to predict outcomes for patients with oropharynx cancer
This study is looking to find a new way to help doctors predict how oropharynx cancer might affect patients, especially those with HPV-positive tumors, so they can tailor treatments better and avoid giving unnecessary side effects to those who might not need them.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.