How brain immune cells control STING signaling in glioblastoma
Regulation of Macrophage- and Microglia-mediated STING Signaling in Glioblastoma
Looks at whether blocking a specific protein in brain immune cells can help the immune system attack glioblastoma in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11168884 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will study how macrophages and microglia (the brain's immune cells) respond to a tumor signal called cGAMP and how that response is turned off in glioblastoma. They will focus on a protein phosphatase called PP2A that appears to weaken STING signaling, using laboratory experiments and animal models to test what happens when PP2A is blocked in those cells. The team will examine tumor tissue, immune cell changes, and tumor growth after manipulating PP2A and STING pathways. Their work is meant to find molecular steps that could be targeted to make immune-based treatments work better with radiation or chemotherapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with glioblastoma — especially those willing to provide tumor samples or consider future immune-based clinical trials — would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without glioblastoma (other tumor types) or pediatric patients would not be expected to benefit directly from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that strengthen immune attacks on glioblastoma and potentially improve patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Other preclinical work boosting STING signaling has shown promise in some cancers, but targeting PP2A in macrophages and microglia within glioblastoma is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Rongze Olivia — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Lu, Rongze Olivia
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 below.