Targeting the innate immune response in head and neck cancer
Official title: Targeting the innate immune response in HNSCC
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11382001 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant explores how to boost the body’s own immune defenses to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and help patients who may not respond to current immunotherapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2017 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $498,386 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE027325-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382001 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, including both HPV-positive and HPV-negative subtypes, may benefit from future therapies developed from this research.
✕Less likely to help
This research is primarily focused on preclinical mechanisms; individuals without HNSCC would not be direct beneficiaries.
What this research studies
Researchers are studying how immune cells in the tumor environment, especially macrophages, influence HNSCC and how to block their immune-suppressing effects. The project focuses on different macrophage populations in HPV+ and HPV− cancers to identify vulnerabilities that can be targeted to improve tumor eradication. The work combines lab studies with potential translational approaches to develop new strategies that complement existing treatments. The goals are to expand the number of patients who benefit from immunotherapy and reduce the disease’s impact on survival and quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new treatments that overcome resistance to current immunotherapies and improve survival for patients with HNSCC.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows immune cells in tumors can promote immune escape, with some success using checkpoint inhibitors; this study seeks additional, potentially more effective targets.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Varner, Judith a — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Varner, Judith a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
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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.
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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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HNSCC, iron addiction, and potential iron-targeted therapies
This grant explores how head and neck cancer cells become dependent on iron and whether targeting iron pathways could lead to new treatments for patients with recurrent or metastatic disease.
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Targeting SREBP2 to boost radiation therapy in HPV-negative head and neck cancer
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.
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Axelopran added to pembrolizumab for frontline recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer
A new treatment approach combines axelopran with pembrolizumab for people with PD-L1 positive recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer to see if it improves response.
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.