Effects of antibiotics on immune responses in oropharyngeal cancer
Official title: Immunological changes associated with antibiotic use in oropharyngeal cancer
Funded at University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences · NIH-11019164 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how taking antibiotics might change the germs in your mouth and affect your immune system if you have oropharyngeal cancer, with the hope of finding ways to help improve cancer treatment for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $292,523 |
| NIH project number | 1P20GM156713-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11019164 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer, particularly those who are HPV-positive and have received antibiotics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with oropharyngeal cancer who have not used antibiotics or those with other unrelated conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how antibiotic use affects the immune system and microbiota in patients with oropharyngeal cancer. It aims to understand the relationship between antibiotic-induced changes in oral microbiota and the body's ability to fight tumors. By using preclinical models and analyzing saliva samples from HPV-infected women, the study will compare immune responses and microbial diversity in patients who have and have not taken antibiotics. The findings could lead to new insights into improving cancer treatment outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for oropharyngeal cancer patients by optimizing antibiotic use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that antibiotic use can negatively impact gut microbiota and immune responses, suggesting that this study's approach is relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
San Juan, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dorta-Estremera, Stephanie — University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
- Study coordinator: Dorta-Estremera, Stephanie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
AI-powered predictor for chemoradiation response in Veterans with oropharyngeal cancer
A new AI-based tool will help doctors tailor chemoradiation for Veterans with oropharyngeal cancer by predicting how each patient will respond to treatment.
-
OPC Survivor: Optimizing Long-Term Health After Oropharyngeal Cancer
This program studies how to improve long-term health and quality of life for adults treated for HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer.
-
Optimizing HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer treatment by selecting patients and reducing therapy intensity
This grant explores whether we can choose the right patients with HPV-positive throat cancer for less intensive, less toxic treatment while maintaining excellent outcomes.
-
Biological factors behind different outcomes in HPV+ oropharyngeal cancer
This project looks at why some people with HPV-positive throat cancer have better or worse survival, by studying tumor biology in a large Cleveland patient group.
-
Understanding how oral high-risk HPV progresses in people with HIV to prevent oropharyngeal cancer
This study follows HIV patients at high risk for HPV-related throat cancer to understand how oral HPV infections start and change over time, with the goal of catching precancer early.
-
Biomarker-based screening to find HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer early
A non-invasive oral gargle test is being developed to detect HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer at early stages, helping people at risk catch cancer sooner.
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.