Autologous organoids and humanized mice to test head and neck cancer immunotherapy
Official title: Developing autologous organoid and humanized mouse models with thymic T cell education capacity to test head and neck cancer immunotherapy
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11446043 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing overview of a research project that uses patient-derived cells to create thymic-educated immune systems and test cancer immunotherapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $552,009 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE036354-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11446043 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with head and neck cancer whose cells may be used to create iPSCs and organoids for research.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not eligible for sample donation or those not contributing to the specific organoid/mouse model development.
What this research studies
This project develops patient-specific organoids and humanized mice so researchers can study how the immune system and head and neck cancer interact. By turning a patient’s cells into thymic organoids, researchers aim to educate T cells to recognize cancer more effectively. The work combines lab-based cell culture with sophisticated mouse models to test PD-1 inhibitors and other immune therapies in a setting that mirrors human biology. If successful, this approach could help identify why some patients respond to immunotherapy and how to improve responses in others.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to more accurate preclinical testing of immunotherapies and inform personalized treatment strategies for head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that patient-derived organoids and thymic education can support more human-like T cell responses in models, with promising but early translational potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jimeno, Antonio — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Jimeno, Antonio
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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.