Targeting cancer redox and fat metabolism to boost radiotherapy in head and neck cancer
Official title: Disrupting Coupled Redox - Lipid Adaptations in Radioresistant Head and Neck Cancer
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11388373 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-focused plan to make radiotherapy work better for head and neck cancer by adjusting tumor redox balance and fat metabolism with targeted drugs and diet.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $595,041 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA314143-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11388373 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with head and neck cancer who are candidates for radiotherapy and may benefit from metabolism-targeted treatment strategies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on redox or lipid remodeling for radioresistance may see little or no benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses a personalized computer model to understand how redox biology and lipid use in head and neck tumors influence radiotherapy response. It then tests strategies that combine molecular therapies with dietary changes to increase cancer cell damage from radiation and strengthen anti-tumor immune activity. The researchers will explore ferroptosis, a type of cell death linked to mitochondrial NADPH and fats, as a mechanism to sensitize tumors to radiation. They will also map how spatial differences within tumors affect redox and lipid metabolism and the tumor environment. These findings could guide future experiments and potential personalized treatment plans for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to more effective radiotherapy approaches for head and neck cancer patients by tailoring treatments to tumor redox and lipid metabolism and by integrating dietary considerations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work supports the idea that metabolism influences radiosensitivity, but this project explores a novel, integrative modeling approach in this specific cancer type.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kemp, Melissa Lambeth — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Kemp, Melissa Lambeth
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AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
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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.