HPV-related head and neck and cervical cancers: finding key gene networks and lncRNA markers for targeted therapy
Official title: Unveiling Therapeutic Targets for Precision Intervention in HPV-Associated Oral Cancers through Genomic Analysis
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11436860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how HPV-related cervical and head-and-neck cancers differ at the gene and RNA level to uncover potential targets for precision treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2026 |
| Project end | July 7, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $284,714 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DE036395-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11436860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with HPV-associated cervical cancer or HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers, especially those with available tumor samples or cell-line models.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without HPV-associated cancers or without access to relevant samples or data may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will compare cervical cancer and HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers to see how gene networks differ when the virus integrates into the host genome versus existing episomally. By focusing on long non-coding RNAs and how viral E6/E7 proteins influence them, the study aims to identify molecular patterns that could guide targeted therapies. Using patient-derived samples and cell culture models, the team will apply co-expression network analyses to map regulatory relationships and highlight potential intervention points. The work emphasizes HPV16-driven cases, which are the most common in OPSCC, and will distinguish tumors based on viral integration status to understand clinical behavior better.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could point to new molecular targets and RNA biomarkers to personalize treatment for HPV-related cervical and head-and-neck cancers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown that viral integration and RNA expression patterns influence cancer behavior, but the specific role of lncRNAs in HPV-related cancers is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Doorslaer, Koenraad — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Van Doorslaer, Koenraad
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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.