Mechanisms of cisplatin resistance from secondhand smoke in head and neck cancer
Official title: Mechanistic insights into cisplatin resistance during secondhand smoke exposure
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11441906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why secondhand smoke makes chemotherapy less effective for people with head and neck cancer, focusing on cisplatin resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2026 |
| Project end | September 15, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $286,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DE036378-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11441906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have had exposure to secondhand smoke or live in environments with SHS.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without exposure to secondhand smoke or with different cancer subtypes may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
For people with head and neck cancer who have been exposed to secondhand smoke, this work aims to uncover the biological pathways that allow cancer cells to survive cisplatin treatment. The study builds on prior findings that side-stream smoke changes how cancer cells die and survive when treated with cisplatin, and it uses human cancer cell models to explore these mechanisms. By identifying key genes and pathways altered by secondhand smoke exposure, the researchers hope to explain why some tumors resist chemotherapy. The project is designed to translate these mechanistic insights into potential targets for improved therapy in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to strategies that overcome cisplatin resistance in patients exposed to secondhand smoke.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows SHS exposure can alter cancer cell response to cisplatin, but the exact mechanisms are not yet known, making this investigation novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sadhasivam, Balaji — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Sadhasivam, Balaji
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.