Changing Immune Cells to Fight Brain Tumors

Reprograming Macrophages and Targeting Glioma Stem Cells in Glioblastoma

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11164794

This project looks for ways to change immune cells in the brain to help them fight glioblastoma, a serious type of brain cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11164794 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Glioblastoma is a very aggressive brain cancer that often has a poor outlook. This cancer contains special stem cells and many immune cells called macrophages, which often help the tumor grow instead of fighting it. Our goal is to find new medicines that can change these helpful macrophages into cells that actively attack and remove cancer cells. We are also exploring how these changed immune cells can work together with treatments that target the cancer stem cells. This approach aims to create a powerful, two-pronged attack against glioblastoma.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is for patients with glioblastoma, as it aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for this specific brain cancer.

Not a fit: Patients without glioblastoma would not directly benefit from this specific research, as it is highly focused on this particular type of brain tumor.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that make the body's own immune system more effective at fighting glioblastoma, potentially improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While reprogramming macrophages is an emerging field, this specific approach of targeting BACE1 to reprogram tumor-associated macrophages in glioblastoma is a novel strategy.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, 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.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementiaAlzheimer syndromeAlzheimer's Disease
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.