Understanding and Treating Head and Neck Cancer with Ceramide
Official title: Ceramide Signaling in the Regulation of Head & Neck Cancer Cell Death and Therapy
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11114057 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how a natural substance called ceramide can help stop head and neck cancer cells from growing and improve future treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2005 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $397,660 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE016572-20 |
| Project ID | NIH-11114057 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is relevant for patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, particularly those whose tumors may have low ceramide levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cancers other than head and neck squamous cell carcinoma may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
What this research studies
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a serious cancer, and many tumors have lower levels of a protective substance called C18-ceramide. This project aims to understand why ceramide levels are low and how restoring them can make cancer cells more vulnerable to treatment. Researchers have found a new protein that helps move ceramide-producing enzymes to where they are needed in cells to fight cancer. They are also developing a new ceramide-like drug to help increase these protective ceramide levels in cancer cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatments for head and neck cancer by targeting how cancer cells survive and respond to therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that lower ceramide levels are linked to advanced head and neck cancer, and preliminary data supports the idea that restoring ceramide can suppress tumors, making this a promising area of continued exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ogretmen, Besim — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Ogretmen, Besim
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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.