NIH-funded research R01 grant

Ultrasensitive detection of circulating DNA methylation to guide head and neck cancer prognosis

Official title: Ultrasensitive detection of circulating DNA methylation for head and neck cancer prognosis

Funded at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst · NIH-11411371 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A new blood-based test will look for tiny DNA methylation signals in people with head and neck cancer to better predict who’s at higher risk of poor outcomes.

More Head and Neck Cancer research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionH. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Tampa, United States)
Project startSeptember 8, 2025
Project endMay 31, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$712,674
NIH project number5R01DE034377-02
Project IDNIH-11411371 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, especially HPV-negative, may be candidates for participation.

Less likely to help

Some patients may not experience a clear prognostic benefit from the tested markers.

What this research studies

This project aims to create a clinical cohort to study non-invasive DNA methylation markers in circulating DNA and immune cells from blood in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. By using ultrasensitive detection methods, it seeks to improve prognostic accuracy and help tailor treatments, including immunotherapy or de-escalation for lower-risk patients. The study will combine molecular testing with clinical follow-up to see how well these markers predict survival and recurrence. Results could lead to more personalized care and better survival for patients with HPV-negative tumors.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise prognosis and more personalized treatment plans.

How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data exist supporting the value of circulating DNA methylation as a prognostic biomarker in cancer, with ongoing developments in this area.

Where this research is happening

  • H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
    Tampa, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Chung, Christine H — H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr & Res Inst
  • Study coordinator: Chung, Christine H

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.