Enhancing the immune response in head and neck cancer
Official title: Restoring the Immunogenicity of Head and Neck Cancer
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11121513 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for ways to make immunotherapy work better for people with head and neck cancer whose tumors aren't responding to current treatments, by finding new methods to boost the immune system and help it fight the cancer more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $555,467 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DE026728-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11121513 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic, unresectable, or recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have not responded to standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage head and neck cancer or those whose tumors are already responsive to current immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the effectiveness of immunotherapy for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNC), particularly those whose tumors are currently unresponsive to treatment. The approach involves using various strategies to activate the immune system, specifically targeting the STING pathway to enhance the immune response against tumors. By transforming 'cold' tumors into 'hot' tumors, the goal is to increase the number of patients who can benefit from existing immunotherapy options. The research will explore the mechanisms behind resistance to these treatments and seek to identify new ways to overcome this challenge.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer by making previously untreatable tumors responsive to immunotherapy.
How similar studies have gone: While some similar approaches have shown promise, the specific strategies being tested in this research are novel and aim to address the unique challenges of resistance in head and neck cancer.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lei, Yu Leo — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lei, Yu Leo
Related research
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AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
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AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
A UK research team is testing an AI-based software to automatically outline cancer areas and plan radiation beams to speed up treatment for cervical and head-and-neck cancers in LMICs.
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.