Finding better treatments for head and neck cancer
Yale Head and Neck Cancer SPORE: Overcoming Treatment Resistance in Head and Neck Cancer
This study at Yale is looking into why some head and neck cancers don’t respond well to current treatments, especially for those that aren't linked to HPV, and they're working on new ways to help improve treatment success and lower the chances of the cancer coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158531 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving treatment options for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a common and often deadly cancer. The team at Yale is investigating why some tumors resist current therapies, including immunotherapy and targeted treatments. They aim to develop new strategies to overcome this resistance, particularly for HPV-negative tumors, which are less responsive to existing treatments. By combining different therapeutic approaches, the researchers hope to enhance patient outcomes and reduce recurrence rates.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly those with HPV-negative tumors or those who have experienced treatment resistance.
Not a fit: Patients with head and neck cancers that are not squamous cell carcinoma or those who are not experiencing treatment resistance may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with head and neck cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in overcoming treatment resistance in other cancers, suggesting that this approach could be effective for head and neck cancer as well.
Where this research is happening
New Haven, United States
- Yale University — New Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Burtness, Barbara — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Burtness, Barbara
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 below.