Targeting FOSL1 super-enhancers to overcome cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer
Official title: FOSL1-super-enhancers define cisplatin-enriched cancer stem cells in HNSCC
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11333880 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing program aims to understand and disrupt the drivers of cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer by focusing on cancer stem cells and the FOSL1 super-enhancer network.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $528,240 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033712-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333880 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are treated with cisplatin and may have or be at risk for cisplatin resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on FOSL1-SE pathways or who do not respond to the proposed interventions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This research looks at why some head and neck cancers stop responding to cisplatin and whether the cancer’s stem cells drive that resistance. Scientists will study FOSL1-driven super-enhancers and how they help cancer cells survive treatment, using models that reflect human disease. They plan to test new strategies that could block these enhancers or use PROTACs to degrade key cancer-driving proteins. The goal is to uncover actionable targets that could lead to therapies improving response to platinum-based chemotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new approaches to prevent or overcome cisplatin resistance in head and neck cancer, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows FOSL1-driven SEs promote tumor growth and metastasis; this project seeks to translate that to overcoming drug resistance, with prior success in related models.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Jiong — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Li, Jiong
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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.