New way to make head and neck cancer treatments work better
Official title: New approach to improve therapeutics for advanced head and neck squamous cell cancer
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11614788 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at the University of Maryland Baltimore aims to improve treatment for advanced head and neck cancer, with a focus on making cisplatin and newer therapies work better while reducing kidney side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2026 |
| Project end | September 16, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $521,524 |
| NIH project number | 1R56DE035818-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11614788 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who may be considered for cisplatin-based therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot receive platinum therapy or who have kidney conditions that disqualify them from the proposed drugs may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores whether adding PLK1 inhibitors to cisplatin can boost cancer-killing effects and lessen kidney toxicity in patients with advanced head and neck cancer. The work builds on lab findings that suggest PLK1 inhibition may reduce cisplatin-related kidney damage and enhance cancer control. Researchers will use patient-relevant models and early-phase studies to understand how these drugs interact in the tumor and kidney tissues. The goal is to identify a combination strategy that improves tumor response without worsening kidney function, potentially translating to future clinical trials.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience more effective cancer control with fewer kidney-related side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work in lab models showed enhanced efficacy with the drug combination and reduced nephrotoxicity, supporting further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dan, Hancai — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Dan, Hancai
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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.