Using AI to improve treatment planning for head and neck cancer patients
Official title: Probabilistic Deep Learning Cervical Lymph-Node Auto-Segmentation For Imaging-enhanced Evaluation of Extracapsular Extension Risk (PDL-CLASIFIER)
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11058478 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how artificial intelligence can help doctors better plan treatments for patients with HPV-related throat cancer, so they can find out who can safely have robotic surgery without needing extra treatments, which could help protect healthy tissue and improve life after cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $162,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R03DE033550-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11058478 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer who are being considered for trans-oral robotic surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with head and neck cancers not associated with HPV or those who are not candidates for surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the treatment planning for patients with HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer by utilizing artificial intelligence to accurately identify those who can undergo trans-oral robotic surgery without the need for additional therapy. The study aims to develop AI methods that can detect and segment metastatic lymph nodes and extracapsular extension risk from imaging data. By improving the accuracy of these assessments, the research seeks to help clinicians make better-informed treatment decisions, ultimately aiming to reduce unnecessary damage to healthy tissue and improve the quality of life for survivors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more precise treatment plans that minimize unnecessary therapies and improve the quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using AI for imaging analysis in cancer treatment, indicating that this approach has the potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Naser, Mohamed — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Naser, Mohamed
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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.