Improving immune treatments for oral cancer using chemokines
Official title: Reprogramming the Tumor Immune Microenvironment with Chemokines to Potentiate Immune Oncology Treatments in Oral Cancer
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11042201 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to make cancer treatments work better for people with HPV-negative head and neck cancer by using special signals to help the immune system find and fight the cancer more effectively.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $585,606 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033909-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11042201 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have not responded well to current treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with HPV-positive head and neck cancers may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of immune oncology treatments for patients with HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). It aims to reprogram the tumor immune microenvironment by using chemokines to attract and activate immune cells that can fight the cancer. The approach involves testing new methods in mouse models that closely resemble human disease, with the goal of improving patient responses to existing immunotherapies. By addressing the immune suppression present in tumors, the research seeks to increase the number of patients who benefit from these treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients with advanced oral cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using chemokines to enhance immune responses in various cancers, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gutkind, Jorge Silvio — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Gutkind, Jorge Silvio
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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.