Reactivating key proteins to treat HPV-related head and neck cancer
Official title: Dual p300 and p53 reactivation in HPV+ head and neck cancer
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11136485 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new treatment for people with HPV-positive throat cancer that aims to boost the body’s natural defenses against the cancer by using a special compound called OHM1, which could make current treatments work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $562,898 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE034300-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136485 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with HPV-negative head and neck cancers or those who do not have access to the specific treatment being tested may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a new treatment approach for patients with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) by targeting the interaction between HPV oncogene E6 and two important proteins, p53 and p300. The study aims to disrupt this interaction using a lead compound called OHM1, which has shown promise in laboratory models by reactivating p53 and p300, leading to anti-tumor responses. Patients may benefit from this innovative therapy as it could enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments like cisplatin. The research will explore the mechanisms behind this dual reactivation to better understand how to improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a novel therapeutic strategy that significantly improves treatment outcomes for patients with HPV-positive head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in targeting similar pathways in cancer treatment, indicating that this approach could be a meaningful advancement.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pan, Quintin — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Pan, Quintin
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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.