Engineered cancer-killing viruses plus immune-boosting drugs for glioblastoma

Glioma therapy with oncolytic adenoviruses and immunometabolic adjuvants

NIH-funded research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11212005

An engineered virus given with drugs that lift immune suppression aims to help people with glioblastoma fight their tumors.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11212005 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers are building on an engineered adenovirus that has already produced long-term responses in some patients with recurrent glioblastoma. They are arming the virus to better activate T cells and combining it with drugs that block tumor immune-suppression pathways such as IDO. The work uses preclinical models and translational studies to optimize the virus and the drug combination before bringing it into patients. The team at MD Anderson plans this pathway to improve how well virotherapy works against aggressive brain tumors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with glioblastoma (often recurrent) who meet clinical-trial criteria and can undergo delivery of the virus at a participating center.

Not a fit: People with other brain tumor types, severe immune suppression, or those unable to receive intratumoral or surgical delivery may not benefit from this approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could shrink tumors and improve long-term survival for some people with glioblastoma.

How similar studies have performed: A prior phase I trial of the same oncolytic adenovirus showed durable responses in about 20% of recurrent GBM patients, but combining the virus with immune-metabolism drugs is a newer and still experimental strategy.

Where this research is happening

Houston, 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 Anti-Cancer Agents
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.