Boosting cetuximab response in oral cancer by targeting mitochondrial complex I
Official title: Inhibiting mitochondrial complex I to improve cetuximab efficacy in oral cancer
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11322613 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work tries adding a drug that blocks a mitochondrial enzyme to help cetuximab work better for people with oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $386,463 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033691-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11322613 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with EGFR-expressing oral squamous cell carcinoma who are eligible for cetuximab therapy or have tumors that are resistant to it.
✕Less likely to help
People whose tumors do not express EGFR, who cannot tolerate mitochondrial complex I inhibitors, or who have unrelated serious health issues may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are using lab-grown oral cancer cells and a mouse model that carries human EGFR to see whether a pill called IACS-010759, which blocks mitochondrial complex I, can make cetuximab kill more tumor cells. They used a genome-wide CRISPR screen to find that TNFα signaling helps tumors survive cetuximab and found that IACS redirects that signal to trigger inflammatory cell death (pyroptosis) via ROS and gasdermin D. The team also examines how CD8+ T cells contribute to tumor remission when the two drugs are combined. These preclinical experiments aim to generate evidence that could support future clinical testing of the combination in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make cetuximab effective for more people with oral squamous cell carcinoma and stimulate immune-mediated tumor clearance.
How similar studies have gone: Mitochondrial complex I inhibitors like IACS-010759 have shown anti-cancer activity in laboratory and animal studies, but combining them with cetuximab for oral cancer is a novel, mostly preclinical strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Teng, Yong — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Teng, Yong
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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.