DNA methylation-based blood biomarkers to predict prognosis and treatment response in glioma patients
Official title: Project 1: DNA Methylation-Based Blood Biomarkers for Prognosis, Molecular Stratification and Treatment Response in Glioma Patients
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11399838 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing summary: researchers will use blood-based DNA methylation markers to help predict how glioma patients might fare and respond to treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2002 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $610,011 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA097257-24 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399838 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with gliomas, including glioblastoma, who are undergoing standard care and have available blood samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to blood sample collection or who are not receiving contemporary glioma treatment may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Glioma patients often have variable outcomes and responses to therapy. This project uses a method called immunomethylomics, which reads DNA methylation patterns in immune cells from blood to identify biomarkers that reflect tumor biology and treatment effects. The team plans to build models that combine immune signals with existing markers to better predict survival and guide treatment choices for glioblastoma patients. The work involves analyzing patient blood samples, applying advanced algorithms, and validating how well these markers predict outcomes. The goal is to create tools that doctors can use to personalize care for people with glioma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more tailored treatment plans based on their biomarker profile and immune status.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has shown promise with immune-related methylation patterns guiding prognosis, but comprehensive, clinically validated models are still evolving.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Molinaro, Annette M — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Molinaro, Annette M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Blood DNA methylation test to predict glioma outcomes and treatment response
This project uses patterns in blood DNA to help predict how people with glioma will do and how they might respond to treatments.
-
Infections and immune genes linked to adult glioma risk and outlook
Measuring past infections and immune-gene differences in adults to learn how they relate to glioma risk and survival.
-
Investigating how infections may influence glioma development and outcomes
This study is looking at how infections might affect the development and outcomes of gliomas, a type of brain tumor, by comparing the immune responses of glioma patients with healthy individuals, and it could help us understand how these infections influence the disease and its treatment.
-
Colorectal cancer prognosis through a broad, collaborative study
A large, multi-center study follows people newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer to find biomarkers and patterns that predict outcomes and guide future care.
-
Next‑gen oncolytic virus therapy for glioblastoma targeting AKT and ERK
A new cancer therapy using an engineered oncolytic virus to fight glioblastoma by blocking AKT/ERK signals and boosting the body’s immune response, with potential to reduce seizures and improve quality of life.
-
Bone marrow immune cells and glioma progression in teens and young adults
A study in adolescents and young adults with brain tumors looks at how immune cells from bone marrow may influence the progression from low-grade to high-grade gliomas.
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.