Combination of PTPN2 inhibitor and STING agonist to boost immune response in head and neck cancer
Official title: Unleashing IFN signal transduction to prime HNSCC immunogenicity
Funded at Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11347426 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant tests a new combination treatment to help the immune system fight head and neck cancer in patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $742,382 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA312510-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11347426 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have limited responses to current immunotherapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without tumors responsive to interferon signaling or without access to STING pathway activation may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how blocking PTPN2 in tumor cells and using a STING-activating agent can work together to strengthen the body’s immune attack on head and neck cancers. The work includes preclinical experiments and aims to understand how these therapies interact with interferon signaling to enhance tumor cell death and immune activation. If results are favorable, this could pave the way for future trials in people whose cancer has limited treatment options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to a new, more effective immunotherapy option for patients with head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that PTPN2 inhibition and STING activation can synergistically boost immune responses in tumor models, supporting translational potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Broad Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manguso, Robert Thomas — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Manguso, Robert Thomas
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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.