Antibody-drug conjugates to help brain tumor patients
Official title: Antibody Drug Conjugate Designs to Enhance the Therapeutic Window for Brain Tumors
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11382264 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic team is testing targeted antibody-drug conjugates to treat glioblastoma, aiming to attack cancer cells in the brain while limiting harm to normal tissue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $620,652 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS144593-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11382264 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glioblastoma (IDH-wildtype) who are candidates for experimental ADC therapies may benefit from future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without brain tumors or those not eligible for ADC-based approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on GBM, a deadly brain cancer, and explores ADCs that deliver potent toxins specifically to tumor cells. Researchers have already identified promising ADCs targeting EGFR and B7-H3 in patient-derived models and are exploring delivery methods that reach tumors within the brain. The work combines preclinical models and collaboration with AbbVie to refine how these drugs reach brain tumors and maximize their therapeutic window. If successful, the approach could lead to more effective treatments for GBM patients who currently have few options.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with glioblastoma could receive more effective, targeted therapies with potentially fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show ADCs can work in solid tumors, with brain delivery being a key challenge that this project aims to overcome.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sarkaria, Jann N. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Sarkaria, Jann N.
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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.