Encapsulated stem-cell delivery of a cancer-killing virus for brain tumors
Official title: Encapsulated Cell Based Oncolytic Virus Therapy for Brain Tumors
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11330479 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses ready-made stem cells encased in a gel to deliver a tumor-killing herpesvirus to target leftover glioblastoma cells after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 6, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $408,246 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS138137-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11330479 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with glioblastoma who are planning or have had surgical tumor debulking and can receive an investigational cell-based, virus-delivery therapy would be the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
Those with non-glioblastoma brain tumors, people who cannot undergo surgery, or people who are severely immunocompromised or have contraindications to virus-based therapy may not be helped or eligible.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has glioblastoma, researchers are developing a treatment that puts a cancer-killing virus inside engineered stem cells and seals them in a synthetic gel for placement into the tumor cavity after surgery. The stem cells are designed to move to remaining tumor cells and release the virus to kill cancer cells and help trigger an immune response against the tumor. This approach aims to solve problems with delivering the virus and avoiding immune evasion that have limited prior trials. Work combines laboratory studies and steps toward use in patients after surgical tumor removal.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could better eliminate residual tumor cells after surgery and strengthen the immune attack, potentially slowing tumor return and improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Early clinical trials of oncolytic herpes simplex virus in glioblastoma have shown safety and occasional responses, but results were limited and the encapsulated stem-cell carrier approach has been promising mainly in preclinical studies and is still novel for patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shah, Khalid a — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Shah, Khalid a
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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.