Targeting SREBP2 to boost radiation therapy in HPV-negative head and neck cancer
Official title: Targeting tumor cells intrinsic SREBP2 activation for increased HNSCC Radiation Therapy efficacy
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11427724 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to see if blocking SREBP2 can make radiation therapy work better for people with HPV-negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $391,327 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE036192-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11427724 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with HPV-negative Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma undergoing radiation therapy or with tumors showing high SREBP2 activity in preclinical models.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with HPV-positive disease or those not eligible for radiation or SREBP2-targeted strategies may not benefit.
What this research studies
Head and neck cancer patients with HPV-negative disease often have poor outcomes even with standard radiation therapy. The study builds on lab findings that SREBP2 activity increases after radiation and helps tumors resist treatment. By pairing SREBP2 inhibition with radiation, researchers hope to reduce tumor survival, boost lipid peroxidation, and promote cancer cell death. The project uses human and animal models to test whether inhibiting SREBP2 can improve RT response and patient outcomes. If successful, this approach could lead to new combination therapies for HPV-negative HNSCC.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have more effective radiation therapy and better survival chances.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical data show that inhibiting SREBP2 sensitizes HNSCC cells to radiation in lab models, suggesting potential for clinical translation.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sertorio, Mathieu — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Sertorio, Mathieu
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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.