Deshmukh Lab

Research focus

NIH R01 · 2025

Optimizing Treatment for Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer in Older Adults

SUMMARY Human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) is one of the fastest rising causes of cancer incidence (3%/year) in the US, with a pronounced increase (≥4%/year) among older adults (≥65 years). The OPC burden is projected to double (>30,000 new cases annually) over the next few decades, with >60% of new cases occurring in patients aged ≥65 years. Although standard of care treatment for OPC results in excellent survival, it can cause devastating chronic toxicity and impaired long-term quality of life (QOL). As a result, a number of clinical trials and real-world studies have evaluated protocols to de-intensify treatment for patients with OPC. However, none of the studies…

From the public funding record at NIH RePORTER. Describes the funded project, not the reviews below.