6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine for glioblastoma: a new approach to target tumors before surgery
Official title: 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine: A Novel Immunogenic Telomerase-Mediated Therapy in Glioblastoma - A Duke and UTSW Collaboration
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11607175 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A trial tests a novel drug given before glioblastoma surgery to see how it behaves in the body and within the tumor, and to learn how it affects cancer cells and the immune environment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $823,182 |
| NIH project number | 3U19CA264385-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11607175 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma who are planned for surgical resection and meet the study’s eligibility criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have measurable drug exposure in the tumor or who do not demonstrate meaningful pharmacodynamic changes may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This window-of-opportunity study will give a drug called Zygideg to adults with glioblastoma before planned tumor removal. Researchers will measure drug levels in blood, spinal fluid, and tumor tissue, and look for signs of telomere damage and immune system activation. They will also analyze tumor samples with advanced molecular techniques to understand how the drug changes the tumor microenvironment. The goal is to learn how to dose correctly and whether this approach could be developed into a future treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could reveal how the drug engages the target in glioblastoma and inform future trials that may improve treatment for patients.
How similar studies have gone: This is an early translational effort; similar strategies have shown promising pharmacodynamic signals in preclinical work but require human data to move forward.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Khasraw, Mustafa — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Khasraw, Mustafa
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.