Hybrid cell states that drive head and neck cancer spread
Dissecting hybrid epithelial-mesenchymal states in head and neck cancer
Researchers are mapping how a Snail2-driven hybrid cell state helps head and neck cancer cells invade and spread to guide future treatments for people with HNSCC.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11237044 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project focuses on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tumors and a newly recognized hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal (HEM) cell state linked to invasion and metastasis. Scientists will use single-cell profiling of patient tumors, laboratory 3-D models, and gene-targeting tools such as CRISPR-dCas9 to find which genes and proteins Snail2 controls. They will test how those targets affect tumor cell movement and metastatic behavior in lab models. The goal is to point to proteins that could become targets for new drugs and to improve prediction of which tumors are likely to fail treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who can provide tumor tissue or enroll in tumor-profiling efforts, including newly diagnosed or recurrent cases, would be the best fit.
Not a fit: Patients without head and neck cancer or those seeking immediate treatment changes are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify drug targets and biomarkers that help prevent or treat metastatic head and neck cancer and better predict patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous single-cell studies have already linked the HEM signature to worse outcomes, but directly targeting the Snail2-driven pathway is largely new and untested.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Puram, Sidharth Venkata — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Puram, Sidharth Venkata
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.