How immune cells in glioblastoma are controlled by metabolism
Official title: Metabolic and molecular regulation of myeloid cell functions in brain cancer
Funded at Wistar Institute · NIH-11309175 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing ways to change immune cells inside glioblastoma tumors so treatments work better for people with GBM.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wistar Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $471,604 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS131912-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309175 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People diagnosed with glioblastoma or those willing to donate tumor tissue or blood samples for research would be the most relevant candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without brain tumors or with cancers unrelated to glioblastoma are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
This project looks at tumor-associated macrophages and microglia in glioblastoma and how their metabolism and stress-response pathways help tumors evade the immune system. The team will use tumor tissue, laboratory cell experiments, and animal models to see how altering metabolic and molecular signals (like ER stress and PERK) changes immune-cell behavior. They will also explore how these changes affect responses to immune-based therapies such as CAR T approaches. The goal is to identify drug targets that could be used with existing treatments to improve outcomes for people with GBM.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to make immunotherapy and other treatments more effective against glioblastoma.
How similar studies have gone: Related preclinical studies in other cancers have shown that changing macrophage metabolism can boost anti-tumor immunity, but translating these findings to glioblastoma is still early and developing.
Where this research is happening
-
Wistar Institute
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Veglia, Filippo — Wistar Institute
- Study coordinator: Veglia, Filippo
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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.