Biomarker to guide treatment in head and neck cancer
Official title: Validating the hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal state as a biomarker of treatment response and outcomes in head and neck cancer
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11580855 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A biomarker test using tumor samples is being developed to predict recurrence risk in oral cancers and help tailor treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $733,589 |
| NIH project number | 7U01DE034109-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11580855 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma who have tumor samples available for analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not fit the high-risk or low-risk profiles or who are not eligible for biomarker-guided treatment may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study hundreds of tumor samples from patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma using advanced techniques like multispectral imaging and spatial transcriptomics to validate high-risk and low-risk scores. The goal is to provide a reliable biomarker that informs treatment decisions and improves conversations between patients and clinicians. If successful, the biomarker could guide more personalized therapies and use in future clinical trials targeting high-risk tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more personalized treatment plans that better address their recurrence risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in cancer have shown promise with molecular biomarkers, but this approach is building on further validation in a larger, multi-institution cohort.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stott, Shannon L — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Stott, Shannon L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Combined Imaging and RNA Markers to Predict Head and Neck Cancer Recurrence
A research project aims to use imaging and RNA data to better predict if head and neck cancer will come back, helping doctors tailor treatments for patients.
-
Intensive dental care during cancer follow-up to protect teeth after head and neck radiation
A program delivered in oncology clinics to provide fluoride varnish and dental follow-up aims to reduce tooth decay and improve oral health and quality of life for head and neck cancer patients after radiation therapy.
-
AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
A computer program helps plan radiation therapy for cervical and head-and-neck cancer patients to make treatments faster and more accurate.
-
AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
A United Kingdom study is testing AI software that helps plan radiotherapy for cervical and head-and-neck cancer patients to save time and reduce the workload for clinicians in low-resource settings.
-
AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
A UK research team is testing an AI-based software to automatically outline cancer areas and plan radiation beams to speed up treatment for cervical and head-and-neck cancers in LMICs.
-
AI-Powered Radiotherapy Planning for Cervical and Head & Neck Cancer
A new AI tool helps plan radiation therapy for cervical and head-and-neck cancers to save time and reduce the need for specialized staff.
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.