Molecular clues to how head and neck cancer responds to radiation and immunotherapy
Official title: P3: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Therapy Response to Radiation and Immune Checkpoint BlockadeýSUBAWARD
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11416568 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies why head and neck cancers stop responding to radiation and immune therapy, using patient samples and data to uncover biological clues that could guide better treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $294,572 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA274513-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416568 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with locoregionally recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radiation-based therapy with cisplatin or nivolumab.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not eligible for radiation-based re-irradiation or those without recurrent disease may not benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve are examining how head and neck cancers react to radiation, chemotherapy, and immune therapy by following real patients over time and analyzing tumor samples. The study uses advanced genetic screens and data from prior and planned treatment trials to identify how DNA damage responses influence treatment effectiveness and immune activation. The goal is to uncover actionable markers that predict response and to map mechanisms that could be targeted to improve outcomes while reducing side effects. Findings could inform personalized strategies for patients facing recurrent disease who are candidates for radiation and immunotherapy. This work focuses on translating basic biology into patient-relevant insights that may guide future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to personalized treatment approaches that improve tumor control and reduce toxicity for patients with head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest DDR pathways influence radiation and immune therapy responses, but this approach aims to extend findings to human tumor samples and clinical contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, David Sung-Wen — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Yu, David Sung-Wen
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.