# Reprogramming the Tumor-Immune Interface in Oral Cancer

> **NIH NIH R35** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $959,255

## Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a devastating epithelial malignancy arising from the mucosa of sites
that include the oral tongue, the floor of mouth, and the buccal mucosa. Advanced disease still has a dismal 5-year survival rate of only ~50%, despite advances in surgical and radiation approaches. Immunotherapy, such
as PD-1 checkpoint blockade, has shown very promising results in a number of malignancies, but in general,
responses are seen only in a minority of the cases. Numerous strategies to enhance endogenous and synthetic
immune-mediated rejection of tumors are under intense investigation; however, all face significant challenges
pending better understanding of the interface between tumor cells and the immune system within the tumor
microenvironment (TME). Areas needing clarity include (1) factors determining tumor sensitivity to immune
pressure; (2) factors determining the expression of neoantigens; and (3) factors determining immune cell
plasticity and “states” induced within the TME. Our research program has been investigating aspects of the
tumor-immune interface. We use primary tumor samples and novel mouse models to understand how to
modulate the immune response to treat human OSCC. We are specifically interested in understanding how
tumor heterogeneity influences the immune response; how we can induce neoantigens on OSCC for immune
targeting; and how we can enhance NK cell function to treat OSCC.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10852877
- **Project number:** 5R35DE030054-05
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN B SUNWOO
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $959,255
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-08 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10852877

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10852877, Reprogramming the Tumor-Immune Interface in Oral Cancer (5R35DE030054-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10852877. Licensed CC0.

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