Heft Neal Lab
The Heft Neal Lab investigates the molecular and immune mechanisms underlying treatment resistance in head and neck cancer, with a particular focus on HPV-associated tumors, DNA damage response, and the tumor immune microenvironment. By integrating laboratory-based discovery with clinical and translational research, our goal is to identify biomarkers that enable personalized treatment strategies, improving cancer control while preserving speech, swallowing, and quality of life.
Explore the Heft Neal Lab
Head and neck cancer is a complex disease that can affect vital functions such as speaking, swallowing, and breathing. In the United States, tens of thousands of people are diagnosed each year, and while treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy can be life‑saving, they may also lead to long‑term side effects that impact daily life.
Our team at the University of Michigan is working to better understand why some tumors respond to treatment while others fail to respond and to develop more personalized, less toxic therapies. We study how radiation interacts with the immune system within the tumor in head and neck cancer and use blood‑based biomarkers like circulating tumor DNA to track disease, detect recurrence earlier, and guide therapy choices. Our ultimate goal is to improve survival while preserving speech, swallowing, and quality of life for every patient.
Molly E Heft Neal, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery,
Head and Neck Surgical Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction
