How NF-κB signaling affects HPV-related head and neck cancer
Dissecting NF-kB pathway in HPV-associated head and neck cancer
Researchers are seeing if overactive NF-κB signaling in HPV-positive head and neck cancer can help predict which patients might safely get less intense treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11252774 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project examines tumor samples and patient records to see whether tumors with overactive NF-κB behave differently and respond better to therapy. Investigators will analyze genetic changes in NF-κB regulators such as TRAF3 and CYLD, apply bioinformatics across three independent patient cohorts, and study tumor and immune features linked to treatment response. The work combines laboratory studies of tumor biology with analysis of clinical outcomes to find markers tied to survival and therapy side effects. The ultimate aim is to identify HPV-positive patients with good prognosis who could avoid excess radiation or chemotherapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with newly diagnosed HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who can provide tumor tissue and clinical outcome information.
Not a fit: Patients with HPV-negative head and neck cancer, those without available tumor tissue, or those with advanced metastatic disease are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify HPV-positive patients who can receive less intensive treatment and have fewer long-term swallowing and speech side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have linked NF-κB pathway changes to outcomes and the investigators' preliminary data support this link, but using NF-κB as a clinical biomarker for treatment de-escalation is still relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yarbrough, Wendell G — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Yarbrough, Wendell G
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.