Identifying biomarkers for oropharyngeal cancer treatment outcomes
Official title: Multimodal Biomarkers For Oropharyngeal Cancer
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10799539 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help patients with oropharyngeal cancer by finding better ways to predict how well their treatment will work, using information about HPV and other markers, so that doctors can create more personalized treatment plans just for them.
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 start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $369,462 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA233873-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10799539 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, particularly those with HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of head and neck cancers or those without a diagnosis of oropharyngeal cancer may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the prediction of treatment outcomes for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), a type of head and neck cancer. By investigating the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) and other clinical biomarkers, the study aims to develop more accurate methods for stratifying patients based on their risk of disease progression and survival. The approach includes analyzing microRNAs and their impact on tumor response to standard cancer therapies. This could lead to more personalized treatment plans for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and tailored treatment strategies for patients with oropharyngeal cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in using clinical biomarkers for prognostic purposes in head and neck cancers, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Hua — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Li, Hua
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This study follows HIV patients at high risk for HPV-related throat cancer to understand how oral HPV infections start and change over time, with the goal of catching precancer early.
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Biomarker-based screening to find HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer early
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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.