Local Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy to Reduce Recurrence in Oral Cancers
Official title: Local Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy to Reduce Recurrence in Resectable Oral Cancers
Funded at Tiburon Bio INC. · NIH-11409869 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new, implantable-like hydrogel system delivers cancer-fighting drugs before surgery to help prevent head and neck cancer from coming back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tiburon Bio INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Spring, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $305,488 |
| NIH project number | 1R43CA302284-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11409869 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with resectable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are candidates for neoadjuvant therapy and surgical resection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer biology does not respond to immunotherapy or who are not eligible for neoadjuvant treatment may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to use a self-assembling peptide hydrogel to release an iNOS inhibitor and a STING-activating compound together with an immune friendlier antibody before tumor removal. The goal is to boost the body's immune response in the time surrounding surgery so any remaining cancer cells are killed and recurrence is reduced. The approach uses advanced biomaterials to control where and when these agents act, potentially lowering side effects by targeting delivery. It focuses on head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, which often stay hidden and resist current therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have lower chances of cancer returning after surgery and better long-term survival.
How similar studies have gone: Biomaterial-based immunotherapies and neoadjuvant immunotherapy approaches have shown promise in early studies, but this specific combination is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Tiburon Bio INC.
Spring, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Coleman, Michael Elmo — Tiburon Bio INC.
- Study coordinator: Coleman, Michael Elmo
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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.