Targeting an immune-cell protein (PI3Kgamma) to help head and neck cancer
Official title: Therapeutic Targeting of Macrophage PI3Kgamma in HNSCC
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11232346 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at whether blocking a protein called PI3Kgamma in certain immune cells can help people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma respond better to treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | April 17, 2018 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $522,215 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA226909-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11232346 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, especially those who have not responded well to current immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers outside the head and neck or whose tumors do not rely on the immune mechanisms targeted here may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are working to change suppressive immune cells called macrophages that live inside head and neck tumors so they support, rather than block, cancer-killing T cells. They use drugs that block PI3Kgamma in these myeloid cells and study tumor and immune responses in laboratory models and tumor samples. The team will test combinations with existing immunotherapies to see if reprogramming macrophages improves tumor control. Results could point toward new treatment approaches or future clinical trials for people whose tumors resist current therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make immunotherapy effective for more people with head and neck cancer by turning off immune suppression in the tumor.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical work in mouse models has shown promising results, but patient testing of this exact approach is still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Varner, Judith a — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Varner, Judith a
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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.