Cyclin D1's role in head and neck cancer
Official title: Cyclin D1 as a driver of HNSCC
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11248816 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work looks at how the protein cyclin D1 drives head and neck cancers to find new treatment targets for patients with cyclin D1-related tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $465,404 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA288626-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11248816 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, especially those whose tumors show cyclin D1 overexpression or loss of Fbxo4, would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with HPV-positive head and neck cancers that lack cyclin D1 alterations or those needing immediate standard therapy are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this preclinical-focused work.
What this research studies
If you have head and neck cancer, researchers will study tumor samples and lab models to understand how too much cyclin D1 (often from loss of a regulator called Fbxo4) helps tumors grow. They will use cell lines and mice to see why these tumors rely on the nutrient glutamine and how blocking CDK4/6 or glutamine metabolism affects tumor survival. The team aims to connect those lab findings to human tumor features so future treatments can target the same vulnerabilities. Work is centered at Case Western Reserve with possible collaborations to link lab discoveries to patient samples.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could point to new targeted treatments — for example CDK4/6 inhibitors or drugs that block glutamine use — for patients whose tumors are driven by cyclin D1.
How similar studies have gone: CDK4/6 inhibitors have helped other cancers and tumor metabolism targeting is promising, but applying these approaches specifically to cyclin D1-driven head and neck cancer is still experimental.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Diehl, John Alan — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Diehl, John Alan
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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.