Exploring how ancestry affects oropharyngeal cancer biology and treatment outcomes.
Official title: Determining the impact of ancestry on oropharyngeal cancer biology and treatment response.
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10869860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a person's background might affect the biology of oropharyngeal cancer, especially in African American patients, to understand why they often have worse treatment outcomes and to find ways to improve their care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $208,164 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DE032344-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10869860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include African American patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with oropharyngeal cancer who are not of African American descent may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between ancestry and the biology of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), particularly focusing on African American patients who often experience poorer treatment outcomes. By analyzing clinical data and genomic information from two unique cohorts enriched with African American patients, the study aims to determine if differences in tumor biology contribute to these disparities. The research will assess how factors like tumor characteristics and the immune environment may influence treatment responses and survival rates. This approach seeks to provide a deeper understanding of the biological underpinnings of OPC in diverse populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies and outcomes for African American patients with oropharyngeal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While research on cancer disparities exists, this specific investigation into the interplay between ancestry and OPC biology is novel and has not been extensively studied.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sandulache, Vlad C — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Sandulache, Vlad C
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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.