Antibody-microRNA therapy for head and neck cancer
Official title: Development of an antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate for treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Funded at Mirecule, INC. · NIH-11194434 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new medicine links the anti‑EGFR antibody cetuximab to a microRNA mimic to treat people with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mirecule, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gaithersburg, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $896,878 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA291527-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11194434 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with locoregionally advanced or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, especially those whose tumors express EGFR or who have progressed on standard treatments, would be the intended candidates.
✕Less likely to help
This approach is not for people without HNSCC, for cancers not driven by EGFR/met pathways, or for patients with contraindications to monoclonal antibody therapy.
What this research studies
This treatment attaches a small RNA that mimics the tumor-suppressor microRNA miR-30-5p to the antibody cetuximab so the drug can both target cancer cells and deliver the RNA inside them. The antibody portion can block EGFR and stimulate immune killing, while the RNA payload is designed to suppress several other growth receptors and cancer-promoting genes at once. By hitting multiple drivers of tumor growth and invasion, the approach aims to overcome resistance that limits single-target therapies. Current work focuses on laboratory and preclinical development with the goal of moving toward human testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could produce stronger tumor responses and help overcome resistance to current EGFR therapies, potentially improving outcomes for people with advanced HNSCC.
How similar studies have gone: Antibody-drug conjugates and RNA therapeutics have shown promise in other cancers, but antibody–microRNA conjugates are largely experimental and novel for head and neck cancer.
Where this research is happening
-
Mirecule, INC.
Gaithersburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saleh, Anthony D — Mirecule, INC.
- Study coordinator: Saleh, Anthony D
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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.