HPV genetic patterns that influence how cervical cancer responds to radiation and reveal early recurrence
HPV genomic structure in cervical cancer radiation response and recurrence detection
['FUNDING_R37'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11321714
This project looks at HPV genetic patterns in people with locally advanced cervical cancer to find markers that predict how they will respond to chemoradiation and to detect recurrence earlier.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R37'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11321714 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will sequence HPV genomes from tumor samples to identify structural features such as HPV-human gene fusions and alternative splicing events. They will link these HPV genomic patterns to patient outcomes after standard chemoradiation for locally advanced cervical cancer. After treatment, the team will use FDG-PET/CT imaging at 3–6 months and compare imaging with HPV-based markers to spot early recurrence. The goal is to create a sequencing-based clinical test that flags patients at high risk of treatment failure before therapy and detects recurrence sooner.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with locally advanced cervical cancer who are HPV-positive and have tumor tissue available before chemoradiation would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with very early-stage cervical cancer treated only with surgery, HPV-negative tumors, or without available tumor tissue or follow-up imaging are less likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors identify patients unlikely to respond to standard chemoradiation and catch recurrent disease earlier so treatment can start sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Previous large efforts using human gene profiles did not predict outcomes, but early research and the investigators' preliminary data indicate that HPV-focused genomic markers may be a promising novel approach.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ZHANG, JIN — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: ZHANG, JIN
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.