NIH-funded research R01 grant

Decorin and MRI markers to predict response to anti-VEGF treatment in recurrent glioblastoma

Official title: Role of decorin and diffusion MRI in anti-VEGF efficacy for recurrent glioblastoma

Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11305218 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This project looks at whether a protein called decorin and a type of MRI (diffusion MRI) can help predict which people with recurrent glioblastoma will benefit from anti-VEGF therapy like bevacizumab.

More Glioblastoma research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2022
Project endMarch 31, 2027
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$591,984
NIH project number5R01CA270027-05
Project IDNIH-11305218 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

People with recurrent glioblastoma who are being considered for anti-VEGF therapy and can undergo diffusion MRI and provide tumor tissue or blood samples.

Less likely to help

People with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, those not receiving anti-VEGF therapy, or those unable to have MRI or provide samples may not benefit from this work.

What this research studies

This project combines diffusion MRI scans and measurements of the protein decorin from tumor tissue or blood in people with recurrent glioblastoma. Researchers will compare MRI apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) patterns and decorin levels with how patients do after anti-VEGF treatment such as bevacizumab. The work will use existing patient data and prospectively collected imaging and samples to link these markers with survival and treatment response. The goal is to develop markers that help guide treatment choices and identify patients for future trials.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could help doctors identify which patients are likely to benefit from anti-VEGF therapy and avoid ineffective treatments.

How similar studies have gone: Previous analyses of over 400 patients across multiple trials suggest diffusion MRI (high ADC) predicts better response to anti-VEGF therapy, while using decorin as an added biomarker is a newer approach with less prior testing.

Where this research is happening

  • University of California Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Ellingson, Benjamin M. — University of California Los Angeles
  • Study coordinator: Ellingson, Benjamin M.

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.