Personalized treatment planning for head and neck cancer radiation therapy
Official title: SCH: Personalized Rescheduling of Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Head & Neck Cancer
Funded at Rice University · NIH-11198078 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make radiation therapy better for people with head and neck cancers by creating personalized treatment plans that adjust to changes in their bodies during treatment, helping to reduce side effects and protect healthy tissues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $80,047 |
| NIH project number | 3R01CA257814-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11198078 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancers who are undergoing radiation therapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with head and neck cancers who are not receiving radiation therapy or those with advanced disease stages may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving radiation therapy for patients with head and neck cancers by developing personalized treatment plans. It aims to address the side effects caused by anatomical changes during treatment by using advanced optimization models. These models will analyze imaging data and patient responses to determine the best timing and number of treatment adjustments needed. The approach utilizes a decision-making framework to enhance treatment effectiveness while minimizing risks to healthy tissues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and safer radiation therapy for patients with head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using adaptive radiation therapy approaches, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schaefer, Andrew J — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Schaefer, Andrew J
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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.