Targeting tumors in head and neck cancer to improve treatment response
Official title: Tumor-Targeted STING Agonism in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11023784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with head and neck cancer respond better to treatments like chemotherapy and radiation by using a special drug that targets the tumor's acidic environment, aiming to make the cancer more vulnerable to these therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $499,238 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA295952-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11023784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who are facing treatment resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage head and neck cancer who have not yet undergone treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a deadly cancer that often resists standard treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. The study aims to enhance the effectiveness of these treatments by activating a specific pathway in tumor cells using a novel drug delivery system that targets the acidic environment of tumors. By utilizing a technique called pHLIP, researchers hope to deliver a STING agonist directly to the tumor, potentially improving the cancer's response to DNA-damaging therapies. This approach is based on findings that activating STING can increase the generation of reactive oxygen species, which may help overcome treatment resistance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for patients with head and neck cancer, improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using STING agonists for cancer treatment, but this specific approach utilizing tumor-targeted delivery is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hayman, Thomas — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Hayman, Thomas
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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.