Breaking the adenosine barrier to improve virus-based brain tumor treatment
Project 3: Circumventing extracellular Adenosine barrier to oncolytic virotherapy
This project tries blocking a molecule called CD73 to lower adenosine so a virus-based therapy can better kill brain tumors and boost the immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181515 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This work uses an engineered herpes virus (oHSV-P10) that kills tumor cells and stimulates immunity and has shown strong effects in mice and is being prepared for human testing. Researchers found the virus raises extracellular ATP, which can be converted into immune-suppressing adenosine by the enzyme CD73. The team plans to use a human antibody that blocks CD73 so ATP stays immune-stimulating and the virus can work better. The approach combines direct tumor-killing by the virus with reducing a chemical barrier that turns off immune responses.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glioblastoma or other malignant brain tumors who are eligible for oncolytic virus clinical trials or early-phase studies would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors are not treated with oncolytic viruses, who lack CD73-driven adenosine suppression, or who are not eligible for early clinical trials may not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make oncolytic virus treatments more effective against glioblastoma and other brain tumors by boosting the immune attack on cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Related oncolytic herpes viruses have regulatory approvals for melanoma and a related agent received conditional approval for GBM in Japan, but pairing oncolytic viruses with CD73-blocking antibodies is a newer strategy with primarily preclinical support so far.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaur, Balveen — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kaur, Balveen
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.