Sex differences in the immune environment of oral cancer
Official title: Sex-specific immune microenvironment in oral cancer
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11353918 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how sex differences affect the immune environment in oral cancer and how that could guide more personalized treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $156,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03DE034748-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11353918 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) or those at risk of HNSCC could benefit from future therapies shaped by these sex-specific insights.
✕Less likely to help
The study uses animal models and may not directly translate to current treatment options in the short term.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how male and female biology shape the immune response to head and neck cancer using animal models to explore sex-specific immune drivers. The project aims to identify what makes tumors grow differently in male versus female bodies and how these differences could inform tailored therapies. By focusing on the immune cells present in tumors, the work seeks to point toward more precise, less burdensome treatments for patients affected by head and neck cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to more personalized and effective treatments that consider a patient’s sex.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows sex differences in tumor biology and immune responses, supporting potential progress with this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Young, Christian — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Young, Christian
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Mobile platform using AI to screen for oral cancer in low-resource communities
A low-cost, AI-powered mobile tool helps frontline healthcare workers screen for oral cancer and triage patients in communities with limited access to specialists.
-
Endosomal signaling and cancer pain control in oral cancer
A study to understand how signals inside nerve cells and supportive cells contribute to pain in people with oral cancer.
-
Affordable AI-enabled point-of-care tool for quick oral cancer checks
A low-cost AI-powered imaging module helps clinicians screen for oral cancer at the point of care, especially in community and resource-limited settings.
-
How tissue stiffness affects oral cancer spread
A researcher at UC San Diego is studying how the stiffness of mouth tissue influences the behavior of oral cancer cells in people.
-
Intraoperative fluorescence lifetime imaging to guide oral cancer surgery
A surgeon-friendly imaging system uses fluorescence lifetime signals and real-time MRI/CT alignment to help remove only cancerous tissue during oral cancer operations.
-
Point-of-Care AI Image Tool for Early Oral Cancer Detection
A new, affordable AI-powered tool helps frontline clinicians screen for oral cancer early by using a low-cost imaging module at the point of care.
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.