Blocking a cancer-related protein to slow mouth (oral) cancer and change immune cells
Targeted inhibition of eIF5Ahpu suppresses tumor growth and M2-like TAM polarization in oral cancer
This project looks at whether stopping a protein process called eIF5A hypusination can slow tumor growth and make immune cells in people with oral (mouth) cancer less supportive of the tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326696 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my view as a patient, researchers are studying oral squamous cell carcinoma by looking at human tumor data and doing lab tests to learn how a protein called eIF5A (and its special modification, hypusination) helps tumors grow. They will use patient tumor datasets and experiments in cells and mice to see whether blocking the enzymes that enable that modification slows cancer cell growth, reduces cancer stem cell traits, and changes tumor-associated immune cells. The team will measure tumor size, cancer cell behavior, and whether macrophages in the tumor shift away from an immune-suppressing (M2-like) state. Their work is aimed at finding drug targets in the polyamine/eIF5A pathway that could be developed into future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with oral squamous cell carcinoma, especially those with aggressive, recurrent, or treatment-resistant tumors, would be the most likely candidates for related future treatments or trials.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers outside the mouth or whose tumors do not rely on the eIF5A/hypusination pathway are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new therapies that slow oral cancer growth, reduce treatment resistance, and make the tumor immune environment less supportive of cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Related laboratory and animal studies targeting the hypusination enzymes have shown promising anti-tumor effects, but this approach has not yet been proven effective in people.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Le, Anh D — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Le, Anh D
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 below.