# Novel Chromatin Regulating Targets of p63 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

> **NIH NIH F32** · COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY · 2020 · $67,446

## Abstract

Abstract
Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) occurs frequently, ranking as the sixth leading cause of
cancer deaths worldwide. Metastasis and recurrence result in a 5-year survival after surgery of around 20%.
Therefore, there is a dire need for therapeutic strategies that can prevent metastasis and recurrence. The cancer
stem cell (CSC) population is of growing interest, as accumulating evidence suggests these cells play a pivotal
role in the ability of a tumor to seed a metastatic site and cause long term recurrence. Traditional chemotherapy
drugs that target rapidly dividing cells often leave this subpopulation behind. In epithelial tissue, stem cell
populations express high levels of the transcription factor p63. This p53 related protein is crucial for maintaining
the undifferentiated stem cell phenotype of these epithelial cells. I propose that the CSC population of HNSCC
is equally reliant on the expression of p63 to maintain the undifferentiated state. Understanding the exact isoform
of p63 that is regulating this phenotype in CSCs and the pathways it controls, will provide new therapeutic targets
for patients with this deadly disease. Preliminary data, along with previous work by our lab has implicated
chromatin regulating proteins as key targets of p63 in epithelial tissue. Therefore, this proposal aims to elucidate
the various chromatin regulators modulated by p63, that are essential for the survival of HNSCC CSCs, leading
to new, lifesaving drug targets. Additionally, the work outlined in this proposal will help me develop new bench
skills essential to furthering our understanding of cancer biology, including ChIP-Seq, RNA-Seq, flow cytometry,
and the development of mouse models and CRISPR library screens. I will also benefit from additional career
development including training in grant writing, written and oral scientific presentation, and student mentoring.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9875446
- **Project number:** 5F32CA225134-03
- **Recipient organization:** COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew Fisher
- **Activity code:** F32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $67,446
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-01 → 2021-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9875446

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9875446, Novel Chromatin Regulating Targets of p63 in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (5F32CA225134-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9875446. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*