Enhanced delivery of neural stem cells to brain cancer with a biodegradable gel and focused ultrasound
Official title: Enhanced Delivery of Cytotoxic Neural Stem Cells for Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme Using an Innovative In-situ Thermogelling Hydrogel and Focused Ultrasound
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11381120 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new treatment approach uses patient-friendly neural stem cells delivered over several months with a biodegradable gel and ultrasound to target glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,918,927 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA286609-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381120 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with glioblastoma who are eligible for experimental cellular therapies and can tolerate procedures related to hydrogel delivery and focused ultrasound.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients may not respond to stem cell therapies or may have contraindications to ultrasound or biomaterial implantation.
What this research studies
This project aims to improve how neural stem cells reach and attack glioblastoma by combining an injectable, biodegradable gel that releases cells for months with non-invasive focused ultrasound to help cells cross the blood-brain barrier. Researchers will develop scalable manufacturing of the hydrogel, ensure it can hold high cell densities, and test non-surgical redosing to reduce need for repeated surgeries. The study will use preclinical models to optimize delivery, tumor targeting, and safety before any human testing. If successful, this approach could provide a more durable and less invasive option for patients with this aggressive brain cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive longer-lasting, non-surgical treatment that more effectively targets glioblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests neural stem cells can target brain tumors, but this specific long-acting hydrogel delivery with focused ultrasound is novel and not yet proven in humans.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benhabbour, Soumya Rahima — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Benhabbour, Soumya Rahima
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Sonodynamic therapy for recurrent glioblastoma using MRI-guided focused ultrasound and ALA
A new treatment combines a drug called 5-ALA with MRI-guided focused ultrasound to target recurrent glioblastoma tumors.
-
Long-lasting stem-cell delivery for glioblastoma using an injectable gel and focused ultrasound
An injectable, biodegradable gel that slowly releases tumor‑killing neural stem cells, paired with focused ultrasound to allow non-surgical re-dosing, for people with glioblastoma.
-
Improving treatment for aggressive brain cancer using innovative cell delivery methods
This study is testing a new way to treat glioblastoma, a tough brain cancer, by using a special gel and sound waves to help deliver helpful stem cells directly to the tumor, which could lead to better results and fewer surgeries for patients.
-
MRI-guided focused ultrasound with 5‑ALA for recurrent glioblastoma
This project uses a non-invasive MRI-guided focused ultrasound together with the drug 5‑ALA as a possible treatment for people with recurrent glioblastoma.
-
Role of a brain tumor RNA in glioblastoma where a unique lncRNA may drive cancer cells
A small, focused NIH grant explores how a brain cancer–related RNA called LINC01896 might control the growth of glioblastoma stem cells and influence treatment resistance.
-
Immune-boosting treatment with ultrasound-assisted brain drug delivery for newly diagnosed glioblastoma
A phase 2A trial will test a patient-friendly approach that uses a skull-implantable ultrasound device plus tiny bubbles to help immune therapies reach brain tumors in people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
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.