How glioblastoma and the immune system change and interact over time
Project 2: Deciphering the Dynamic Evolution of the Tumor-Immune Interface
This project looks at how glioblastoma tumors and immune cells change together to find signals that could guide better treatments for people with GBM.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181594 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will measure tumor and immune cells at many levels (molecules, single cells, and tissue patterns) to map how the tumor-immune relationship evolves. In the lab they will grow tumor and immune cells together and collect time-course molecular data, and they will study several mouse models to see these interactions in living tissue. Computer models will combine and deconvolute these complex datasets to predict key pathways that make tumors suppress immunity, and the team will test those predictions in experiments. The goal is to find biomarkers and targets that could later be used in patient-directed therapies or trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glioblastoma who are willing to donate tumor tissue or be considered for future immune-targeting clinical trials would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with cancers other than glioblastoma or those seeking immediate changes to their current therapy are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets and biomarkers to help make immune-based treatments work better for people with glioblastoma.
How similar studies have performed: Related multi-omic and spatial mapping approaches have identified actionable immune pathways in other cancers, but applying these integrative methods to glioblastoma is newer and not yet proven to improve patient outcomes.
Where this research is happening
Cambridge, United States
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Spranger, Stefani — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Spranger, Stefani
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.