Blocking two proteins that help glioblastoma stem cells become more aggressive
Targeting Malignant Reprogramming of Glioblastoma Stem Cells Through Dual Inhibition of S6K1 and BIRC3
['FUNDING_R01'] · H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST · NIH-11247473
Researchers are trying to stop glioblastoma stem cells from turning into a more treatment‑resistant and invasive form by blocking two proteins called S6K1 and BIRC3, with the goal of helping people with glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (TAMPA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11247473 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team is studying why glioblastoma stem cells change into a tougher, more invasive cell type that makes the cancer deadly. They are using lab methods, proteomic profiling, and patient-derived tumor models to see how the proteins BIRC3 and S6K1 drive that switch. The researchers plan to block both proteins together to prevent the harmful reprogramming and test whether that makes tumors less resistant in animal models grown from patient tumors. This work is preclinical and aims to create therapies that could later be tested in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Eventually, people with glioblastoma—especially those with tumors showing mesenchymal-like or treatment‑resistant features, or those with recurrent disease—would be the main candidates for trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of brain tumors, low‑grade gliomas, or glioblastomas that do not rely on the S6K1/BIRC3 pathway may not benefit from therapies developed from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make glioblastoma tumors less resistant and invasive, potentially improving patient survival and enabling new targeted treatments.
How similar studies have performed: The team reports promising preclinical results in patient‑derived xenograft models and prior mechanistic studies, but no comparable approach has yet proven effective in clinical trials for glioblastoma.
Where this research is happening
TAMPA, UNITED STATES
- H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST — TAMPA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ETAME, ARNOLD — H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST
- Study coordinator: ETAME, ARNOLD
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.