New vulnerability in oral cancer linked to p53 loss
Official title: Investigating a new vulnerability in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Funded at Thomas Jefferson University · NIH-11370165 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A cancer research grant is exploring a surprising weakness in head and neck cancer to help people with HPV-negative oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Thomas Jefferson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $521,948 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033025-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11370165 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with HPV-negative oral squamous cell carcinoma, particularly those with p53 inactivation, may benefit from future therapies arising from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage or non-OSCC cancers may not benefit directly from these findings.
What this research studies
This project looks for new ways to kill oral cancer cells, especially when the p53 tumor suppressor is inactivated. Researchers will test ideas in models that mimic human disease to identify targets that could make existing therapies work better. The goal is to develop targeted strategies that could stop cancer growth and improve survival for patients with OSCC. Patients may hear about future treatments arising from these findings as the work progresses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new, more effective therapies for OSCC.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work has shown Mdm2 is a vulnerability in p53-inactivated cancers, supporting potential relevance to OSCC.
Where this research is happening
-
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Eischen, Christine M. — Thomas Jefferson University
- Study coordinator: Eischen, Christine M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Oral cancer recurrence predictor using tumor microbes and gene activity
This NIH grant explores how bacteria and immune signals inside oral cancer tumors relate to whether the cancer comes back, with the aim of making a practical risk predictor for patients.
-
Reducing bacteria inside oral cancer tumors to boost immune response
In people with head and neck cancer, this study tests whether lowering bacteria in tumors can help the immune system fight the cancer better.
-
REASON Score: an epigenetic and clinicopathologic approach to predict survival risk in early oral cancer
A new biomarker-based score using DNA methylation and clinicopathology to predict survival risk for people with early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma.
-
Mouth bacteria that may speed up oral cancer
This work looks at whether specific mouth bacteria help oral squamous cell carcinoma grow and spread in people who have or are at risk for oral cancer.
-
Targeting a stress-specific function of a DNA replication protein to boost oral cancer therapy
A short, targeted NIH grant explores a new way to make existing treatments work better for oral cancer by attacking a special function of a DNA replication protein that cancer cells rely on.
-
AI-powered miRNA test to tell oral cancer from benign leukoplakia without surgery
A noninvasive brush-based test using artificial intelligence analyzes tiny RNA patterns to distinguish oral cancer from benign oral lesions, helping people avoid delays.
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.