NIH R01 · 2025
Project Summary Human papilloma virus negative (HPV-) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with high mortality and current curative treatment options incur significant morbidity. Despite activity in recurrent/metastatic settings, PD-1 inhibitors have low response rates of 14-20% in previously untreated, locally advanced HNSCC when given in the neoadjuvant setting, and recent Phase III trials demonstrate no benefit when a PD-1 inhibitors are combined with chemotherapy and broad field radiation to primary tumor and draining lymph node basins. We recently reported that nodal irradiation or surgical removal of draining lymph nodes completely blocks the anti-tumor activity…
From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.