Blood DNA methylation test to predict glioma outcomes and treatment response

Project 1: DNA Methylation-Based Blood Biomarkers for Prognosis, Molecular Stratification and Treatment Response in Glioma Patients

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11178465

This project uses patterns in blood DNA to help predict how people with glioma will do and how they might respond to treatments.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-11178465 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would provide a blood sample and clinical information so researchers can read DNA methylation patterns linked to different immune cell types. The team uses a method called immunomethylomics to count immune cells and abnormal myeloid cells from whole blood and combine those signals with tumor features. They will build and refine computer models to group glioblastoma patients by expected survival and likely treatment response, accounting for steroid use and suppressive immune cells. The work includes comparing molecular groups and testing whether the blood signals predict who benefits from specific therapies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with glioma—especially glioblastoma (IDH-wildtype)—who can provide blood samples and allow access to their clinical records are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People who do not have glioma, cannot provide blood samples, or whose care cannot be linked to clinical outcome data are unlikely to benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to a simple blood test that helps predict prognosis and guide personalized treatment choices for glioma patients.

How similar studies have performed: Related blood-based DNA methylation and immune-profiling approaches have shown promise, but applying immunomethylomics to predict outcomes in glioblastoma is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.