# Small extracellular vesicles as biomarkers of prognosis and response to therapy in head and neck cancer

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2024 · $130,976

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This diversity supplement project is embedded in the Aim 1 studies of the parent grant R01-
DE031299. The objective of Aim1 is to establish efficacy of the immune capture-based strategy
for TEX and NTEX isolation from plasma of HNSCC patients and determine the potential of
these sEV subsets to serve as biomarkers of cancer and immune competence, respectively.
The aim of this research experience plan for the applicant is to utilize the available experimental
design, extensive preliminary results, unique reagents and methods we have developed to
optimize the immune capture strategy for tumor-derived sEV (TEX) from HNSCC plasma and
harmonize its application to large-scale experiments with sEV from various cohorts of patients.
While harmonizing the immune capture methodology for TEX and NTEX, the applicant will have
an opportunity to acquire experience in a broad spectrum of methods and technologies,
including vesicle preparation for mass spectrometry, that are required for assessments of
nanovesicles characteristics and functions. The Program Leader will serve as a Mentor, with the
Program Co-leaders providing medical or epidemiology advice as needed. The applicant will
perform sEV isolation from body fluids, assess sEV morphology, molecular content and
functions and will receive training in various microscopic, biochemical and functional
technologies necessary for the vesicle characterization. The applicant will also perform in vivo
experiments, delivering TEX and NTEX to mice. He will participate in data analysis, results
interpretation and presentation and will interact with biostatistics and bioinformatics experts. The
program is designed to prepare the applicant for an independent research career in oral cancer
biology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10988924
- **Project number:** 3R01DE031299-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Brenda B. Diergaarde
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $130,976
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2023-03-15 → 2024-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10988924

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10988924, Small extracellular vesicles as biomarkers of prognosis and response to therapy in head and neck cancer (3R01DE031299-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10988924. Licensed CC0.

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