Markers that predict response to LAG3 and PD‑1 immunotherapy for head and neck cancer
Project 3: Determining biomarkers for responsiveness to immunotherapy targeting LAG3/PD1 in HNSCC
This project looks for tumor and blood markers to help predict which people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma will respond to PD‑1 and LAG‑3 immunotherapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192286 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, researchers will study tumor tissue and blood samples to find immune markers linked to treatment response. They will compare samples from people who respond to PD‑1 and LAG‑3 therapies with those who do not, focusing on CD8+ T cell activity and inhibitory receptor patterns. Laboratory and molecular analyses will test how blocking LAG3 alone or with PD‑1 changes immune function and whether these changes match clinical outcomes. The goal is to identify biomarkers that predict benefit or reveal resistance mechanisms that could be targeted with combination treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are receiving or may receive PD‑1 or LAG‑3 immunotherapy and who can provide tumor tissue and blood samples.
Not a fit: People without head and neck cancer or those not treated with PD‑1/LAG‑3 therapies are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help doctors predict who will benefit from PD‑1 and LAG‑3 therapies and guide more personalized treatment plans.
How similar studies have performed: PD‑1 inhibitors are established in several cancers and LAG‑3 plus PD‑1 combinations have shown benefit in other tumor types, but using LAG‑3 targeting specifically in head and neck cancer is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bruno, Tullia Carmela — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Bruno, Tullia Carmela
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.