# Head and Neck Cancer SPORE at the University of Wisconsin

> **NIH NIH P50** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2020 · $2,160,041

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Wisconsin Head and Neck SPORE is designed to promote translational laboratory and clinical research to
improve overall outcome for patients with Head and Neck Cancer (HNC). This highly collaborative research
links basic scientists with HNC clinicians to advance novel treatment strategies for this complex cancer
popoulation. These patients bear a disproportionate burden from their cancers based on the critical anatomic
location of the disease where treatment can compromise speech, swallow, and breathing function, in addition
to creating significant alterations in physical appearance and capacity for social interaction. Efforts to improve
cure rates must be carefully balanced with efforts to reduce treatment morbidity to enable enhanced overall
quality of life for patients. The broad objectives of this SPORE are to: 1) Promote multidisciplinary translational
research in HNC, 2) Improve overall survival and quality of life for patients with HNC, 3) Develop new animal
model systems of HNC to test novel targeted therapy strategies, 4) Develop common resources (such as
patient-derived tumor xenografts) to be shared across institutions to promote translational research, and 5)
Translate promising new molecules developed at the University of Wisconsin through preclinical and clinical
testing. The Wisconsin HN SPORE has designed four primary research projects. Project 1 will define and
target molecular pathways that drive HNC using new mouse model systems, and identify biomarkers of
prognostic value for clinical investigation. Project 2 will examine a novel, tumor-selective radiolabeled molecule
developed at UW that internally targets HN tumors with radiation and shows potential to reduce toxicity from
conventional treatment. Project 3 investigates molecular targeting of HNC with novel synstatin peptide
therapeutics that disrupt signaling complexes coupled to receptor tyrosine kinases. Project 4 investigates the
role of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL in HNC therapy response and resistance to help design more effective
future treatment strategies. The Wisconsin SPORE will support this research with three Cores (Administrative,
Pathology and Biostatistics), a Career Enhancement Program and a Developmental Research Program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9988228
- **Project number:** 5P50DE026787-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** PAUL M HARARI
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $2,160,041
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-02 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9988228

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9988228, Head and Neck Cancer SPORE at the University of Wisconsin (5P50DE026787-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9988228. Licensed CC0.

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