Restoring p53 and p300 in HPV-positive head and neck (throat) cancer
Dual p300 and p53 reactivation in HPV+ head and neck cancer
This project tries a new drug that frees a protein called p300 so the tumor-suppressor p53 can work again and help shrink tumors in people with HPV-positive throat cancers.
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 ID | NIH-11307582 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have HPV-positive oropharyngeal (throat) cancer, this work aims to restore two proteins, p300 and p53, that HPV disables. Researchers developed a molecule called OHM1 that breaks the interaction between the HPV E6 protein and p300, and in lab and animal tests OHM1 reactivated p53 and caused tumor shrinkage. The team will map exactly how OHM1 restores p53 and p300 function and why combining OHM1 with cisplatin produced strong anti-tumor responses in animal models. Findings will guide further drug development toward possible future testing in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Future candidates would be people with HPV-positive oropharyngeal/head and neck cancers whose tumors have p53 suppressed by HPV rather than mutated.
Not a fit: People with HPV-negative head and neck cancers or tumors that carry mutated, nonfunctional p53 are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a new targeted therapy that restores natural tumor suppression and improves outcomes for people with HPV-positive throat cancer.
How similar studies have performed: This strategy is relatively novel but the investigators report promising preclinical success with OHM1 in cells and animal models, while human testing has not yet occurred.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pan, Quintin — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Pan, Quintin
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.