AHR-driven immunosuppression in glioblastoma and new therapeutic targets
Official title: AHR-mediated immunosuppression in glioblastoma
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11455312 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A personalized cancer study aims to understand why glioblastoma suppresses the immune system and to find ways to boost anti-tumor immunity in patients with this brain tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $867,720 |
| NIH project number | 2R01ES029136-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455312 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with glioblastoma or related brain tumor conditions who are candidates for translational research and biopsy-focused studies.
✕Less likely to help
Participation may not benefit patients if the therapies tested are not effective or if samples do not yield clear targets.
What this research studies
This project examines how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and related signaling shape the tumor’s immune environment in adults with glioblastoma. Using patient samples, animal models, and genomic tools, the team will explore how AHR-driven IL-11 and TRAIL pathways contribute to immune suppression and tumor progression. The goal is to identify targets that could be blocked or modulated to improve existing therapies and patient survival. The research builds on prior findings and tests strategies that could translate into new treatment options for GBM patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new approaches that enhance immune responses against glioblastoma and potentially extend patient survival.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that targeting the AHR-IL-11 axis and TRAIL pathways can influence tumor immunity in GBM models, suggesting potential for translation.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Quintana, Francisco J. — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Quintana, Francisco J.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding and Overcoming T cell Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma (GBM)
A large research program is looking at how glioblastoma tumors weaken immune responses and how to boost immune cells to fight GBM.
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How the protein CHI3L1 weakens immune attacks in glioblastoma
Seeing if blocking CHI3L1 helps the immune system attack glioblastoma in adults with this brain tumor.
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Investigating how a protein affects immune response in brain tumors
This study is looking at how glioblastoma, a tough brain tumor, manages to escape the body's immune defenses, focusing on a protein called CHI3L1, to find new ways to help the immune system fight the tumor better.
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Understanding how certain immune cells affect glioblastoma progression
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) affect glioblastoma, a tough brain cancer, and how these cells might differ between men and women, with the hope of finding better ways to help patients respond to treatments.
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Exploring ways to enhance T cell activity against glioblastoma
This study is looking at ways to make treatments for glioblastoma, a tough type of brain cancer, work better by focusing on the immune system's T cells, and it aims to find new ways to boost these cells to help patients feel better.
-
Investigating how immune cells affect glioblastoma growth
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the brain, called tumor-associated macrophages, affect glioblastoma and how we can use this information to create new treatments that help the immune system fight the tumor better.
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.