Colorado Head and Neck Cancer Translational Program
Colorado Head and Neck Cancer SPORE
Testing new immune-based treatments and combined therapies to help people with head and neck cancers live longer and keep important functions like breathing, swallowing, and speaking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11212247 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient, this program works to turn lab discoveries into better treatments for people with head and neck cancer by combining basic science with clinical testing. The team is studying drugs that block interactions between immune cells and blood vessel lining (EphB4-EFNB2) and testing a combined TGFβ/PD-L1 blockade with radiation to try to boost the immune attack on tumors. They will use laboratory models and also analyze tumor and blood samples from patients given an EphB4-EFNB2 inhibitor in a short 'window' trial to see if the lab results appear in people. The overall aim is to improve survival while preserving breathing, eating, and communication abilities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, including HPV-related and tobacco-related tumors, who can travel to the University of Colorado for treatment and study visits are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without head and neck cancer, those with different tumor types, or patients who are too frail or ineligible for experimental therapies would likely not benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce more effective immunotherapy combinations that increase survival and reduce disabling side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Immune checkpoint drugs (like PD-1/PD-L1 blockers) have helped some head and neck cancer patients, but targeting EphB4-EFNB2 and combining TGFβ/PD-L1 with radiation are newer approaches with limited human data so far.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jimeno, Antonio — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Jimeno, Antonio
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.