MiR-27a* as a new therapy approach for head and neck cancer
Official title: Development of miR-27a* for the Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11381876 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to use a small RNA, miR-27a*, to hit several cancer pathways at once in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to help fight the disease.
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 start | July 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $643,088 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE032521-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381876 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who could participate in future translational studies or clinical trials involving miR-27a* therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on the EGFR/AKT/mTOR pathways or who cannot tolerate the proposed therapies may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores using miR-27a* to simultaneously dampen EGFR, AKT1, and mTOR pathways that cancer cells rely on. By studying how miR-27a* affects tumor cells in the lab and in animal models, the team hopes to identify combinations that make tumors more likely to die and less able to grow. The goal is to translate these findings into a multimodal treatment option for patients with head and neck cancer. The work focuses on understanding how miR-27a* targets multiple cancer drivers and how to best apply this approach alongside existing therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a new multimodal treatment to improve survival and quality of life for people with head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work showed that restoring miR-27a* in tumor cells can induce cancer cell death, supporting a potential therapeutic effect.
Where this research is happening
-
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
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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.