NIH R01 · 2024
Imaging tumor-associated macrophages in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using fluorine-19 MRI
In this project, we aim to translate a fluorine-19 (19F) MRI technology to visualize the tumor associated macrophage (TAM) burden in patients with recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HNSCC is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. TAMs often comprise a significant volume fraction of tumor mass, and a high TAM burden in the tumor microenvironment is associated with poor therapeutic prognosis. In HNSCC patients developing locoregionally recurrent or metastatic disease, anti-PD-1 antibody checkpoint inhibitor therapy is currently the standard of care, however, the response rates remain poor (~20%). TAMs have been associated with immunosuppression and T-cell exclusion,…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.