Personalized treatment planning for head and neck cancer using adaptive radiation therapy
Official title: SCH: Personalized Rescheduling of Adaptive Radiation Therapy for Head & Neck Cancer
Funded at Rice University · NIH-10862796 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to make radiation therapy for head and neck cancers better by creating personalized treatment plans that adjust based on how your body changes during therapy, helping to target the tumor more effectively while reducing side effects.
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) | $239,671 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA257814-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10862796 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 treatment for head and neck cancers by developing personalized adaptive radiation therapy (ART) plans. It aims to address the side effects of standard chemo-radiotherapy, which can be exacerbated by anatomical changes during treatment. By utilizing imaging data and advanced optimization models, the project seeks to determine the best timing and number of treatment adjustments based on individual patient responses. This approach will help ensure that the tumor is adequately targeted while minimizing harm to surrounding 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: Other research has shown promising results with adaptive radiation therapy approaches, indicating potential for significant advancements in treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schaefer, Andrew J — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Schaefer, Andrew J
Related research
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Personalized scheduling for radiation therapy in head and neck cancer
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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.