NIH-funded research P01 program project

Exploring ways to enhance T cell activity against glioblastoma

Official title: Understanding and Overcoming T cell Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma

Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10876404 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at ways to make treatments for glioblastoma, a tough type of brain cancer, work better by focusing on the immune system's T cells, and it aims to find new ways to boost these cells to help patients feel better.

More Glioblastoma research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrigham and Women's Hospital
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startJuly 3, 2020
Project endJune 30, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$2,680,832
NIH project number5P01CA236749-05
Project IDNIH-10876404 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with glioblastoma who may benefit from new immunotherapy strategies.

Less likely to help

Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who are not eligible for immunotherapy may not receive benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates the challenges of treating glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer, by focusing on the immune system's T cells. It aims to understand why current immunotherapies have not been effective and seeks to enhance T cell activation within the tumor environment. The research involves a collaborative team of experts who will explore combining different immunotherapy approaches to improve treatment outcomes for patients with glioblastoma. By studying the mechanisms of immune suppression in glioblastoma, the project hopes to develop more effective therapies.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options and outcomes for patients with glioblastoma.

How similar studies have gone: While immunotherapy has shown success in other cancers, its application in glioblastoma is still being explored, making this research both relevant and necessary.

Where this research is happening

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Chiocca, E. Antonio — Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Study coordinator: Chiocca, E. Antonio

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • AHR-driven immunosuppression in glioblastoma and new therapeutic targets

    A personalized cancer study aims to understand why glioblastoma suppresses the immune system and to find ways to boost anti-tumor immunity in patients with this brain tumor.

    NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11455312

  • Understanding and Overcoming T cell Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma (GBM)

    A large research program is looking at how glioblastoma tumors weaken immune responses and how to boost immune cells to fight GBM.

    NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-11417398

  • How the protein CHI3L1 weakens immune attacks in glioblastoma

    Seeing if blocking CHI3L1 helps the immune system attack glioblastoma in adults with this brain tumor.

    NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11324608

  • Investigating how a protein affects immune response in brain tumors

    This study is looking at how glioblastoma, a tough brain tumor, manages to escape the body's immune defenses, focusing on a protein called CHI3L1, to find new ways to help the immune system fight the tumor better.

    NIH research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · Pittsburgh, United States · NIH-11078715

  • Understanding how certain immune cells affect glioblastoma progression

    This study is looking at how certain immune cells called myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) affect glioblastoma, a tough brain cancer, and how these cells might differ between men and women, with the hope of finding better ways to help patients respond to treatments.

    NIH research University of Miami School of Medicine · Coral Gables, United States · NIH-11046531

  • Investigating how immune cells affect glioblastoma growth

    This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the brain, called tumor-associated macrophages, affect glioblastoma and how we can use this information to create new treatments that help the immune system fight the tumor better.

    NIH research Brigham and Women's Hospital · Boston, United States · NIH-10667431

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.