Targeting low oxygen and abnormal metabolism to help immunotherapy work better in head and neck cancer
Official title: Project 1: Hypoxia and metabolic dysregulation as a targetable barrier to immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC)
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11192275 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research tests whether changing tumor oxygen levels and metabolism can help immunotherapy work better for people with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2004 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $318,776 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA097190-19 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192275 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are either anti‑PD‑1–naïve or whose cancer progressed on anti‑PD‑1 therapy are the intended candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People with early-stage disease, non-squamous head and neck cancers, or serious medical conditions that make trial drugs unsafe may not be eligible or likely to benefit.
What this research studies
This project runs new clinical trials for people with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. One trial combines drugs that alter tumor metabolism with anti‑PD‑1 therapy for patients who have not yet received anti‑PD‑1, and another tests adding anti‑CTLA‑4 or anti‑LAG‑3 for patients whose cancer progressed after anti‑PD‑1. Doctors will collect tumor tissue and use advanced laboratory analyses and preclinical models to study tumor oxygen levels, metabolism, and T cell function. The aim is to find drug combinations that overcome resistance and help more patients benefit from immunotherapy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help more people with hard-to-treat head and neck cancer respond to immunotherapy and potentially live longer.
How similar studies have gone: Immune checkpoint drugs like anti‑PD‑1 have helped some patients, but combining them with metabolism-targeting drugs or additional checkpoint blockers is still experimental with limited proof of success so far.
Where this research is happening
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University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delgoffe, Greg M. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Delgoffe, Greg M.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Hypoxia and metabolism as targets to improve immunotherapy in head and neck cancer
This grant tests new combinations of metabolic drugs with immunotherapy to help people with head and neck cancer respond better to treatment.
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Data-driven classification of aggressive tissue traits to predict cancer outcomes in HPV-negative head and neck cancer
A clinician-science grant uses data science and AI to identify tissue patterns in HPV-negative head and neck cancer that may predict how long patients stay cancer-free.
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Biomarker test to predict immunotherapy response in head and neck cancer
A multi-site study aims to validate blood-based and immune biomarkers to predict which head and neck cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy.
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Personalized vaccine plus anti-PD-1 for recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer
A personalized vaccine made from each patient's tumor is combined with anti‑PD‑1 immunotherapy for adults with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer.
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Using data science to identify aggressive cancer types and predict survival in head and neck cancer without HPV.
This study is looking at a type of throat and neck cancer that isn't caused by HPV, and it aims to use new data techniques to better understand how different tissue types affect survival, which could help doctors make more personalized treatment choices for patients.
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Personalized vaccine therapy combined with anti-PD-1 treatment for head and neck cancer
This study is testing a new treatment for people with recurring or advanced head and neck cancer by using a personalized vaccine made from their own tumor cells, combined with a medication that helps the immune system fight the cancer better.
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.