Improving treatment for HPV-related throat cancer before surgery

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

We know that HPV-related throat cancer is becoming more common, and current treatments can have tough side effects. While immunotherapy has helped some advanced head and neck cancers, it hasn't been as effective for earlier-stage HPV-related throat cancer when given alone before other treatments. This project aims to see if a special type of radiation, focused only on the tumor and not the surrounding lymph nodes, can make immunotherapy more effective. The idea is that by protecting the lymph nodes, the body's immune system can better fight the cancer when combined with immunotherapy. We are building on earlier findings that suggest healthy lymph nodes are key for immunotherapy to work well.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of California, San Diego
  La Jolla, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Califano, Joseph a — University of California, San Diego
• Study coordinator: Califano, Joseph a

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• An image-based test to predict risk in HPV-positive throat cancer

  This project aims to develop a simple image- and molecular-based test to show which people with HPV-positive oropharynx (throat) cancer are more likely to have a recurrence so their treatment can be personalized.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11469884

• A new tumor marker (HPVhet) to predict outcomes in HPV-related throat cancer

  This project looks at whether a tumor marker called HPVhet can better predict which people with HPV-positive throat cancer will do well and which might need stronger treatment.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11469883

• Neoadjuvant immunoradiotherapy for HPV-related throat cancer

  A new approach combines targeted radiation before surgery with PD-1 blockade to treat HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, aiming to improve outcomes and reduce long-term side effects.

  NIH research University of California, San Diego · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11377117

• A test to predict outcomes for HPV-positive oropharynx (throat) cancer using tumor molecular and imaging features

  This project will see if an 'HPVhet' score derived from tumor biology and routine pathology images can help predict outcomes for people with HPV-positive oropharynx cancer.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11301847

• Detecting HPV-related throat cancer earlier in people with and without HIV

  This study is looking to find better ways to detect HPV-related throat cancer early, especially for people living with HIV, by checking for certain markers in their saliva and blood, which could help improve screening methods in the future.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11058695

• Finding a new way to predict outcomes for patients with oropharynx cancer

  This study is looking to find a new way to help doctors predict how oropharynx cancer might affect patients, especially those with HPV-positive tumors, so they can tailor treatments better and avoid giving unnecessary side effects to those who might not need them.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-11040101

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.