miR-27a*: a small RNA approach for head and neck cancer
Development of miR-27a* for the Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
This project looks at whether giving a small RNA called miR-27a* can help kill tumor cells and improve treatment for people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11142400 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are developing a naturally occurring small RNA, miR-27a*, that can shut down several proteins (like EGFR, AKT1, and mTOR) that help head and neck cancers survive. They will test how reintroducing miR-27a* affects tumor cells in the lab and in animal models and study combinations with other therapies to find the most effective approach. The team will also work on ways to deliver miR-27a* safely and effectively with the goal of moving toward early human testing. If successful, this could become an additional treatment option alongside current therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma—particularly those whose tumors overexpress EGFR or who have not responded to standard EGFR-targeted treatments—would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without head and neck squamous cell carcinoma or whose tumors lack the targeted molecular pathways are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce a new therapy that kills tumor cells and enhances existing treatments for advanced head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical lab and animal studies show that reintroducing miR-27a* can trigger tumor cell death, but testing in humans has not yet been established.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lai, Stephen Y — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Lai, Stephen Y
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.