Lower-dose, personalized treatment for HPV-positive throat cancer
Project 2: Optimizing patient selection and deintensified therapy for human papillomavirus positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal cancer (OPC)
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11192279
This project looks for ways to safely give gentler treatment to people with HPV-positive throat cancer by finding who truly needs full chemo and radiation.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11192279 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
I have HPV-positive oropharyngeal (throat) cancer and want treatments that cause fewer long-term problems. This project uses trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS) together with detailed tumor testing — including gene mutations, RNA patterns, and advanced imaging features — to identify patients at high risk of cancer in the neck nodes. Investigators have identified a four-gene mutational signature linked to high-risk neck disease and are combining that with radiomic and transcriptomic data to improve selection before or after surgery. The team aims to use these findings to decide who can safely receive lower-dose post-surgery therapy and who still needs standard higher-dose chemoradiation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer who are candidates for trans-oral surgery or who are being considered for reduced post-surgery radiation/chemotherapy are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with non-HPV throat cancers or those already known to have high-risk nodal disease that requires full-dose chemoradiation are unlikely to benefit from the de-intensification approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could spare many patients from harsh chemo and high-dose radiation and reduce long-term swallowing, speech, and other toxicities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials like ECOG 3311 showed excellent survival with surgery-based de-intensification, but using a combined genomic and radiomic signature to predict high-risk neck disease before tailoring treatment is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SKINNER, HEATH DEVIN — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: SKINNER, HEATH DEVIN
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 below.