Award
National Cancer Institute 5P50CA097190-19
Project 3: Determining biomarkers for responsiveness to immunotherapy targeting LAG3/PD1 in HNSCC
Recipient
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Award Amount
$318,409.00
Ceiling
$318,409.00
Awarded
September 01, 2025
Identifier
5P50CA097190-19
This award funds research to identify biomarkers predicting response to immunotherapy targeting LAG3 and PD1 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, aiming to improve treatment outcomes by understanding immune resistance and response mechanisms.
Description
The project aims to understand the mechanisms of action for immunotherapies (e.g., anti-PD1, anti-LAG3), identify biomarkers of response, and explore resistance mechanisms. It hypothesizes that dual blockade of LAG3 and PD1 synergizes to enhance CD8+ T cell function in HNSCC. The study involves a neoadjuvant trial with treatment arms of nivolumab alone or combined with relatlimab, followed by surgery. It seeks to define biomarkers of response and resistance, and develop improved immunotherapy strategies.