Understanding treatment resistance and immune issues in head and neck cancer
Official title: Computational tumor phenotyping to interrogate treatment resistance and immune dysregulation in head and neck cancer
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11093432 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how head and neck cancer responds to treatment and how the immune system plays a part, hoping to find patterns in medical images that could help explain why some tumors are tougher to treat, especially in relation to HPV, so that patients with this type of cancer can get better treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $460,148 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA289261-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093432 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, particularly those with varying HPV statuses.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancers or those without head and neck squamous cell carcinoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) responds to treatment and the role of the immune system in this process. By using advanced computational techniques, the study aims to analyze both radiology and pathology images to identify patterns that may explain why some tumors resist treatment. The goal is to better understand the biological characteristics of HNSCC, particularly in relation to the presence or absence of human papillomavirus (HPV). Patients with HNSCC may benefit from insights gained through this research, which could lead to improved treatment strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatment options for patients with head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using computational techniques to analyze cancer phenotypes, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lafata, Kyle — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Lafata, Kyle
Related research
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AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
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AI-powered radiotherapy planning for cervical and head-and-neck cancer
A UK research team is testing an AI-based software to automatically outline cancer areas and plan radiation beams to speed up treatment for cervical and head-and-neck cancers in LMICs.
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.