Investigating how a specific protein affects oral cancer treatment resistance
Official title: Greatwall in replication stress/DNA damage responses and oral cancer resistance
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10761736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called Greatwall affects oral cancer cells that don't involve HPV, to find better ways to help these cells respond to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, and it’s for anyone interested in improving outcomes for patients with this type of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $361,254 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE030427-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10761736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with oral cancer, especially those whose tumors are HPV-negative.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with oral cancer who are HPV-positive may not benefit from this research as it specifically targets mechanisms relevant to HPV-negative cases.
What this research studies
This research focuses on oral cancer, particularly cases that do not involve HPV, which are known to have poor outcomes. It aims to understand how the Greatwall kinase protein influences the ability of cancer cells to survive and resist treatment, especially in response to DNA damage caused by chemotherapy and radiation. By studying the role of Greatwall in these processes, the researchers hope to identify new treatment strategies that could enhance the effectiveness of existing therapies. The project involves both laboratory experiments and mouse models to test the effects of inhibiting Greatwall on cancer cell responses to treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with oral cancer, particularly those with HPV-negative tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting similar cellular mechanisms in other cancer types, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peng, Aimin — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Peng, Aimin
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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.