Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) awarded Washington University a $427,625 Project Grant effective February 6, 2026, through February 5, 2028, under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121). The award supports research and development of radiation-guided theranostic agents to improve detection, treatment monitoring, and therapeutic outcomes for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Specifically, the research leverages radiation-inducible tumor-associated antigens, particularly Tax-Interacting Protein 1 (TIP1), which are upregulated on cancer cell surfaces following external beam radiation therapy (XRT). The project involves developing and evaluating human anti-TIP1 antibodies (L111) labeled with radioisotopes—including [89Zr]Zr for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to assess treatment response and [177Lu]Lu for therapeutic delivery targeting residual tumors resistant to XRT.

The deliverables include preclinical evaluation and validation of immuno-PET imaging capabilities to non-invasively monitor HNSCC response to treatment and assessment of radiopharmaceutical therapeutic potential for treating XRT-resistant disease. This translational research addresses significant clinical gaps in managing advanced HNSCC, where current five-year survival rates remain below 50% despite aggressive treatment protocols. By translating the discovery of radiation-inducible antigens into functional theranostic radioimmunoconjugates, the research aims to advance prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies within NIDCR's mission to improve dental, oral, and craniofacial health outcomes.