How head and neck cancer responds or resists radiation and immunotherapy
P3: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Therapy Response to Radiation and Immune Checkpoint BlockadeýSUBAWARD
Testing whether patterns in tumor DNA and immune cells can help predict responses to radiation combined with chemotherapy or the PD-1 drug nivolumab for people with recurrent head and neck cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135461 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of a program that collects tumor and blood samples over time from people getting re-irradiation for recurrent head and neck cancer. Researchers will combine those samples with clinical information and lab tests to track how tumors change after radiation and after treatment with cisplatin or the PD-1 blocker nivolumab. They will study DNA damage response genes and immune cell activity in the tumor and blood to find signs of resistance or sensitivity. Lab experiments, including genetic screens, will be used to test which genes drive resistance so findings from patients can be linked to mechanisms.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with locoregionally recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are undergoing or planning re-irradiation with concurrent or adjuvant cisplatin or nivolumab are the intended candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without recurrent head and neck cancer, those treated only with surgery or primary radiation without re-irradiation, or those unwilling to provide tumor or blood samples are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict who will benefit from radiation plus immunotherapy and guide more effective, personalized treatment plans.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work shows radiation can interact with the immune system and that combining radiation with PD-1 blockers can help some patients, but results have been mixed and the biological reasons are still being clarified.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, David Sung-Wen — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Yu, David Sung-Wen
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.