Why head and neck cancer affects Black patients differently
The biological mechanisms of racial disparity in head and neck cancer
This project looks for tumor-based markers in Black and African-ancestry patients with oral/head and neck cancer to help spot aggressive disease sooner and guide more personalized treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320796 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will use tumor samples and clinical records from people with oral/head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, including Black and African-ancestry patients. They will analyze gene expression, long noncoding RNAs, and DNA copy number at a genomic region called 8q24.21 to find patterns linked to worse outcomes. The team will build an RNA-based prognostic model that combines molecular, clinical, and histology data to identify early-stage cancers at higher risk of progressing. They will compare results across internal and external patient groups to improve the model's accuracy for Black patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with oral or other head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, especially those who are Black or of African ancestry and who can provide tumor samples or clinical data, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without head and neck cancer or with tumor types other than oral/head and neck squamous cell carcinoma are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to tests that detect high-risk oral cancers earlier in Black patients and help doctors pick treatments based on tumor biology.
How similar studies have performed: Previous genomic studies have found tumor differences and prognostic gene signatures in head and neck cancer, but tailoring RNA-based predictors and studying 8q24.21 lncRNAs specifically in Black/African-ancestry patients is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Momen Heravi, Fatemeh — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Momen Heravi, Fatemeh
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 below.