Precision CT imaging to guide personalized treatment for oropharyngeal (throat) cancer
Precision imaging for risk stratification and personalized therapy of oropharyngeal cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11311314
The project uses CT scans and AI to better predict which people with oropharyngeal (throat) cancer may need less or more intensive treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | STANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11311314 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you have oropharyngeal (throat) cancer, this work looks at CT images and clinical records to learn patterns linked to how the cancer behaves. The team combines hand-crafted imaging features that capture tumor shape and spread with deep-learning models trained on a large, multi-institution dataset of 1,771 patients. They then link the imaging models with clinical details like HPV status and smoking history to make personalized risk predictions. The goal is to help doctors choose safer, less toxic treatments for people unlikely to need full-intensity therapy while keeping high cure rates.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with oropharyngeal (throat) cancer—especially those with known HPV status—who have diagnostic CT scans and clinical records available at participating centers.
Not a fit: People without CT imaging of their tumor, with cancers outside the oropharynx, or those with clinical profiles that already require aggressive therapy may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could spare some patients unnecessary aggressive treatment and reduce long-term side effects while keeping survival high.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinical trials have tested treatment de-intensification for HPV-positive throat cancer and early radiomics/deep-learning studies show promise, but combining large-scale imaging features with AI for individualized decisions is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
STANFORD, UNITED STATES
- STANFORD UNIVERSITY — STANFORD, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: LI, RUIJIANG — STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: LI, RUIJIANG
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 below.