Targeting specific proteins to improve treatment responses in head and neck cancer

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

This research investigates how targeting the EphB4-ephrinB2 pathway can reduce immunosuppression in patients with high-risk head and neck cancer (HNSCC). The study aims to understand how certain immune cells interact with tumor cells and how this interaction can be modified to enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments. By focusing on the tumor microenvironment and the role of specific proteins, the research seeks to improve patient responses to therapies like radiation. Patients may be involved in trials that explore new treatment combinations aimed at overcoming resistance to current therapies.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Colorado Denver
  Aurora, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Karam, Sana D — University of Colorado Denver
• Study coordinator: Karam, Sana D

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Blocking EphB4–ephrinB2 to lower immune suppression in head and neck cancer

  This project tests whether blocking the EphB4–ephrinB2 pathway can reduce immune-suppressing cells in people with head and neck cancer to help radiation and immunotherapy work better.

  NIH research University of Colorado Denver · Aurora, UNITED STATES · NIH-11180119

• Lymph node metastasis and immune tolerance in head and neck cancer

  A study in people with head and neck cancer looks at how cancer spread to lymph nodes may shape the immune system and help tumors grow.

  NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11614785

• Vascular signals from brain blood vessels influence immune-suppressing cells in glioblastoma

  This grant explores how blood vessel cells in glioblastoma shape immune cells to help the tumor grow, with the aim of making immunotherapies work better for patients.

  NIH research University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · Oklahoma City, United States · NIH-11583676

• Vascularized niche with local immune protection to transplant insulin-producing cells for Type 1 diabetes

  A new approach aims to transplant insulin-producing cells inside a vascularized pocket with local drug delivery to keep them alive and functioning without full-body immune suppression.

  NIH research Methodist Hospital Research Institute · Houston, United States · NIH-11550529

• Restoring responses to immunotherapy in metastatic lymph nodes in head and neck cancer

  A clinical research project aims to improve how immunotherapy works when cancer has spread to lymph nodes in head and neck cancer patients.

  NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11510384

• 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.

  NIH research University of Pennsylvania · Philadelphia, United States · NIH-11505841

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.