Improving cancer treatment by blocking opioid effects in head and neck cancer patients
Official title: Overcoming Immunotherapy Resistance Through Opioid Antagonism in Head and Neck Cancer
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11126894 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pain medications called opioids might affect the success of immunotherapy treatments for people with head and neck cancer, and it aims to find ways to improve cancer treatment while still helping manage pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $571,177 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033473-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11126894 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are currently using opioids for pain management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have head and neck cancer or those not using opioids for pain management may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how opioid medications, commonly used for pain relief in head and neck cancer patients, may hinder the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments. The study will explore the relationship between opioid use and immune response in patients receiving anti-PD-1 therapy, aiming to understand how opioids affect T cell activity and overall treatment outcomes. By analyzing patient data and conducting experiments in mouse models, the researchers hope to identify strategies to enhance the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy while managing pain.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment responses for head and neck cancer patients by optimizing pain management strategies that do not compromise immune function.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of combining opioid antagonism with immunotherapy in head and neck cancer is novel, preliminary data suggests that opioid use negatively impacts treatment outcomes in similar contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Scheff, Nicole N — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Scheff, Nicole N
Related research
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Overcoming immunotherapy resistance in head and neck cancer through opioid-blocking strategies
This research looks at whether blocking opioids can help people with head and neck cancer respond better to immunotherapy and reduce pain-related issues.
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Understanding emotional and social challenges for people with advanced head and neck cancer on immunotherapy
This project aims to understand the emotional and social challenges faced by patients with advanced head and neck cancer who are receiving immunotherapy.
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.