Helping Head and Neck Cancers Respond to Immunotherapy
Restoring the Immunogenicity of Head and Neck Cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · NIH-11136531
This research looks for new ways to make head and neck cancers more responsive to existing immune-boosting treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11136531 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Immunotherapy has been approved for advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, but many tumors do not respond well to these treatments. This project aims to understand why some tumors are 'cold' and don't trigger an immune response, while others are 'hot' and more susceptible to treatment. We are focusing on a natural pathway in cells called STING, which helps the immune system recognize cancer cells. While activating the STING pathway shows promise, current treatments often face resistance, and this project seeks to uncover the reasons for this resistance and develop strategies to overcome it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant for patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma whose tumors do not currently respond well to immunotherapy.
Not a fit: Patients whose head and neck cancers already respond effectively to current immunotherapy treatments may not directly benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that help more people with head and neck cancer benefit from immunotherapy.
How similar studies have performed: While immunotherapy has shown success for some head and neck cancers, this project addresses a known challenge of resistance to specific immune-boosting strategies.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- 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
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.
Conditions: Cancer Causing Agents, Cancer Genes, Cancer-Promoting Gene, Cancers