Senescent T cells and immunotherapy resistance in head and neck cancer
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11447585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to understand why certain immune cells weaken and limit immunotherapy effectiveness in head and neck cancer, with the goal of helping patients respond better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 4, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $615,908 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE035103-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11447585 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who may be candidates for immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
If your cancer does not rely on tumor-infiltrating T cell dysfunction, you may not benefit from the specific approaches studied here.
What this research studies
Head and neck cancer patients often do not respond well to current immunotherapies. This project studies T cells that become aged and suppressive within tumors to figure out how they contribute to therapy resistance. By examining the biology of these senescent T cells, the team hopes to identify new targets to boost treatment responses in patients. The work involves analyzing patient tumor samples and related models to uncover mechanisms and potential interventions. If successful, findings could inform future therapies that improve outcomes for people with head and neck cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new treatment strategies that make immunotherapy work better for patients with head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown T cell senescence is linked to immune suppression and may influence therapy response, suggesting potential but not guaranteed benefits.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peng, Guangyong — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Peng, Guangyong
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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.