Biological factors behind different outcomes in HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer
Official title: Biological factors driving clinical outcomes in HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11399180 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why some people with HPV-positive throat cancer have better or worse survival, by studying tumor biology in a large Cleveland patient group.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $519,336 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA302718-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399180 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adult patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, particularly those in the Cleveland region with available tumor samples and clinical data.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not show the studied biological differences or who are outside the geographic focus may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will analyze a big, local group of HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer patients to identify biological differences that may affect survival, including HPV genotype and the tumor-immune environment. They will use advanced genomic and immune profiling on tumor samples to understand why outcomes vary even when treatment timing is similar. The goal is to connect biological markers with clinical outcomes to guide future therapies and personalized care. This work builds on a large, well-characterized patient cohort from Cleveland, including a high-risk subgroup, to uncover actionable insights.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding which biological factors influence survival could lead to more personalized treatment strategies and better outcomes for patients with HPV+ OPSCC.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data from multiple cohorts have shown biological differences can influence outcomes, supporting the potential for meaningful findings in this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'neill, Wendi Quinn — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: O'neill, Wendi Quinn
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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.