Boosting Radiation Treatment for Glioblastoma with Nanoparticle Therapy
Official title: Nano-therapeutics Reprogramming of Immunosuppressive Myeloid Cells Potentiate Radiotherapy for Glioblastoma
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11103381 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is developing tiny particles to help the body's immune system fight glioblastoma brain tumors more effectively when combined with radiation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 26, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $366,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R37CA266487-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11103381 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is focused on understanding and developing new treatments for adults diagnosed with glioblastoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without glioblastoma or those who cannot undergo radiation therapy would not directly benefit from this specific treatment approach.
What this research studies
Glioblastoma is a very aggressive brain cancer where standard radiation therapy is crucial. While radiation directly attacks tumor cells, it also relies on the body's immune system to help clear the cancer. Unfortunately, in glioblastoma, many immune cells become "immunosuppressive," meaning they actually protect the tumor from being destroyed. This research aims to create special nanoparticles that can find and reprogram these unhelpful immune cells, turning them into tumor fighters. By making these immune cells more active, the hope is to significantly improve how well radiation therapy works against glioblastoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make radiation therapy much more effective for glioblastoma patients, potentially leading to better outcomes and longer survival.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of immune reprogramming in cancer is an active area of research, this specific nanoparticle platform and its combined approach with radiation for glioblastoma is a novel strategy.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhang, Peng — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Zhang, Peng
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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.