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Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
To Tip or Not to Tip: A New Combination for Precision Medicine in Head and Neck Cancer
Rex H Lee1, Daniel E Johnson1, Jennifer R Grandis1
1Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
Abstract:
Meaningful advances in targeted therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) have been hampered by limited availability of robust preclinical models for translational research. Using an impressive array of in vitro and in vivo preclinical HNSCC models, Smith and colleagues demonstrated the efficacy of alpelisib and tipifarnib combination therapy through sustained mTOR inhibition in PIK3CA/HRAS-dysregulated HNSCC, including preliminary evidence of robust antitumor activity in a patient enrolled in a precision medicine trial. This study in this issue of Cancer Research illustrates the value of preclinical avatars for informing biomarker-driven clinical trials to advance precision medicine in HNSCC and other cancers. See related article by Smith et al., p. 3252.
Insights
Targeted therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) shows promise. Combination therapy with alpelisib and tipifarnib effectively inhibited mTOR in preclinical models, offering hope for PIK3CA/HRAS-dysregulated HNSCC patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Translational Research
- Cancer Therapeutics
Background:
- Advances in targeted therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are hindered by a lack of effective preclinical models.
- Developing robust models is crucial for advancing translational research in HNSCC.
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