Invasion is required for development and spread of head and neck cancer (HNC) but unfortunately there are no strategies that effectively target invasion. This knowledge gap is due to limited progress in identifying and understanding the underlying mechanisms that control invasion. While progress has been made in establishing that epithelial to mesenchymal transition in HNC cells allows them to spread and become resistant to treatment, critical mechanistic links are unknown. It is also unclear which tumors will spread and become resistant to treatment. Given the continued poor survival of patients with HNC, this project will address the following questions: 1) what are the mechanisms that encourage HNC to spread; 2) how is HNC protected from radiation and who is at risk for developing resistance; and 3) how does HNC recur. This work will provide the foundation for novel mechanism-based treatment strategies to improve the survival of patients with HNC.

Public Health Relevance

The proposed studies will develop a comprehensive understanding of the molecular pathways that control the spread and recurrence of head and neck cancer. This information will provide the foundation to appropriately select patients who will respond to existing treatments, and identify novel strategies to sensitize tumors to treatment. Ultimately this will improve survival of patients with head and neck cancer.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Unknown (R35)
Project #
1R35DE027551-01
Application #
9461138
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDE1)
Program Officer
Wang, Chiayeng
Project Start
2017-09-14
Project End
2025-06-30
Budget Start
2017-09-14
Budget End
2018-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Dentistry
Type
Schools of Dentistry/Oral Hygn
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
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Polverini, P J; D'Silva, N J; Lei, Y L (2018) Precision Therapy of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Dent Res 97:614-621
Decker, A M; Taichman, L S; D'Silva, N J et al. (2018) Periodontal Treatment in Cancer Patients: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Curr Oral Health Rep 5:7-12