How brain immune cells (microglia) affect glioblastoma growth
Deciphering the role of Microglia in Glioblastoma
Learning how brain immune cells called microglia help glioblastoma grow to find new treatment targets for people with this aggressive brain tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169780 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This lab project uses a mouse model of glioblastoma and special methods to separate microglia inside the tumor from those elsewhere in the brain. The team sequences the RNA of these tumor-associated microglia to identify which genes and pathways are changed. They found downregulation of immune sensing, phagocytosis, and tumor-killing programs in tumor-associated microglia and will probe those changes further. The aim is to discover molecular targets that could be used to re-awaken microglia to fight glioblastoma in future therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with glioblastoma are the group who could potentially benefit or become candidates for future clinical trials stemming from this work.
Not a fit: Patients without glioblastoma, such as those with other brain conditions or non-brain cancers, are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new molecular targets that lead to therapies that help the immune system attack glioblastoma.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown microglia can support tumors and immune-based treatments help some cancers, but directly reprogramming microglia in glioblastoma remains experimental.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El-Khoury, Joseph — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: El-Khoury, Joseph
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.