6-thio-dG as a telomere-targeting therapy for glioblastoma
6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine in GBM: Pre-clinical Evaluation of Mechanism of action, Efficacy and Biomarker identification
This project will see if 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6-thio-dG), a drug that damages tumor telomeres, can kill glioblastoma cells and lead to new treatments for adults with GBM.
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 ID | NIH-11164688 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers at Duke are testing 6-thio-dG, a drug that gets incorporated into tumor telomeres and causes DNA damage in cells that rely on telomerase. They are working with glioblastoma cells, animal models, and patient tumor samples to check whether the drug crosses the blood–brain barrier, is effective against tumors, and what biomarkers predict response. The team aims to identify molecular markers such as TERT alterations that indicate which tumors are most likely to respond. This preclinical work is intended to guide whether the approach should move into clinical trials for adults with GBM.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with glioblastoma, particularly those whose tumors show telomerase-activating changes (such as TERT promoter mutations), would be the most likely candidates for this therapy.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors lack telomerase activation, pediatric patients, or people unable to tolerate experimental treatments may be unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could produce a new targeted therapy for adult glioblastoma—especially tumors with telomerase activation—and potentially improve outcomes where current treatments fall short.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies of 6-thio-dG and other telomere-targeting strategies have shown promise in lab and animal models, but clinical benefit in GBM has not yet been demonstrated and effective blood–brain barrier delivery remains a key hurdle.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ashley, David M. — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Ashley, David M.
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 below.