Creating new nanomedicines to treat brain tumors in dogs

Development of novel nanotherapeutics to overcome therapy resistance using canine brain tumor as a spontaneous model

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-10993281

This study is looking at new treatments for tough brain tumors called glioblastomas by using dog brain tumors to learn more about how these cancers work, with the hope that it will help both dogs and people get better care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10993281 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing innovative nanotherapeutics aimed at overcoming resistance to existing treatments for high-grade gliomas, particularly glioblastoma, using canine brain tumors as a model. By studying these tumors in dogs, the research aims to better understand the complexities of human brain tumors, which are often not accurately represented in traditional rodent models. The approach involves targeting autophagy, a process that cancer cells exploit to survive treatment, with the use of aminoquinoline drugs that have shown promise in previous trials. This could lead to more effective therapies for both dogs and potentially humans suffering from these aggressive brain tumors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are dogs diagnosed with high-grade gliomas, particularly those that have shown resistance to current therapies.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have high-grade gliomas or those who are not canine species may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for brain tumors, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using canine models to study cancer therapies, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful advancements.

Where this research is happening

Davis, 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 2026-06-10 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.