Understanding how sex hormones affect head and neck cancer
Official title: Sexual dimorphism and the immuno-modulatory role of estrogen signaling in HNSCC
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11136504 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This work explores why head and neck cancer affects more men than women and how estrogen might help women respond better to treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $693,401 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA284651-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11136504 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant to patients with head and neck cancer, particularly those interested in how sex hormones influence disease progression and treatment response.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose cancer is not influenced by sex hormones or who are not candidates for hormone-related therapies may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Head and neck cancer is more common in men, and women who get it are often postmenopausal. This project looks at how premenopausal women with head and neck cancer tend to respond better to treatments like immunotherapy. Researchers are trying to understand if the hormone estrogen plays a role in this improved response. They are studying how estrogen might affect the tumor's environment and immune cells, which could lead to new ways to improve treatment for both men and women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatment strategies that use hormones to improve the effectiveness of therapies for head and neck cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: The abstract mentions using clinical trial data and preclinical data, suggesting some existing evidence supports the observed differences in treatment response related to sex.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karam, Sana D — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Karam, Sana D
Related research
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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
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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.