Using radiation and a combination of therapies to treat recurrent head and neck cancer.
Official title: Treating recurrent HNSCC with radiation and dual TGF-Beta/PD-L1.
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11192442 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new way to help people with recurring head and neck cancer by using a combination of radiation therapy and two special treatments that boost the immune system, hoping to make the cancer treatment more effective and improve recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $89,990 |
| NIH project number | 3P50CA261605-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192442 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who have previously undergone treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage head and neck cancer or those who have not experienced recurrence may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a new treatment approach for patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by combining radiation therapy with dual therapies targeting TGF-Beta and PD-L1. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness of radiation in killing cancer cells while also improving the immune response against the tumor. Patients may receive a tailored treatment plan that includes these therapies, which could potentially lead to better outcomes compared to standard treatments. The research aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this combined approach in a clinical setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a more effective treatment option for patients with recurrent head and neck cancer, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the combination of radiation with immune-targeting therapies is a promising area of research, the specific approach being tested in this study is novel and has not been extensively validated in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Xiao-Jing — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Wang, Xiao-Jing
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.
-
Axelopran added to pembrolizumab for frontline recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer
A new treatment approach combines axelopran with pembrolizumab for people with PD-L1 positive recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer to see if it improves response.
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.