# Intercepting head and neck cancer using functional genomics approaches

> **NIH NIH F31** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS) · 2021 · $40,436

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a devastating malignancy associated with high
morbidity, poor survival rates, and limited treatment options; the majority of cases presenting as oral cavity
tumors, or oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Cell fate determination and CSC maintenance and
expansion are controlled by Wnt/-catenin signaling, shown to underlie HNSCC pathobiology however, the
cellular, genomic and epigenetic details of Wnt/-catenin deregulation in HNSCC remain undefined. In our
recent studies, we found inhibition of -catenin/CBP signaling – via pharmacological grade small molecule
inhibitors, ICG-001 and E7386 – interferes with OSCC tumor growth and metastasis and elevated β-
catenin/CBP signaling in primary OSCC tumors is associated with tumor progression and poor patient survival.
Building on these preliminary findings, our project includes a total of three aims. Aim 1 seeks to define the role
of -catenin/CBP in HNSCC initiation and progression to advanced disease using the murine 4NQO oral
carcinogenesis model. In Aim 2 we will validate transcriptional signatures associated with -catenin/CBP in
pre-cancerous human tissues and integrate this data with publicly available multi-omics datasets. Lastly, Aim 3
plans to reconstruct gene regulatory networks using high-dimensional Bayesian inference to use in modeling
potential targets for intervention strategies and combinatorial therapies. Overall, our project aims to define
molecular links between -catenin/CBP activity and aggressive cells in pre-cancerous lesions, and to identify
therapeutic interventions in head and neck cancer. We postulate that inhibition of β-catenin/CBP activity will
intercept early disease and interfere with its progression, and that the E7386 inhibition signature will have
prognostic value for OSCC diagnosis and treatment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10285987
- **Project number:** 5F31DE029701-02
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY (CHARLES RIVER CAMPUS)
- **Principal Investigator:** Anthony Federico
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $40,436
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10285987

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10285987, Intercepting head and neck cancer using functional genomics approaches (5F31DE029701-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10285987. Licensed CC0.

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