How IMPDH2-driven GTP metabolism makes glioblastoma aggressive and treatment-resistant
Official title: Therapeutic resistance and aggressive malignancy in glioblastomas: the contribution of GTP metabolism through regulation by IMPDH2
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11122305 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying a protein called IMPDH2 that helps glioblastoma cells make GTP, to try to stop tumor growth and make treatments work better for people with aggressive brain tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $386,881 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA255331-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11122305 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with glioblastoma—especially those with recurrent or treatment-resistant tumors or who can donate tumor tissue—would be the most relevant candidates for future related studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without glioblastoma or those needing immediate clinical treatment decisions are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this primarily lab-focused work.
What this research studies
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are examining how increased GTP production driven by IMPDH2 helps glioblastoma (GBM) grow and resist treatment. They will work with tumor samples and glioma stem-like cell models, and run lab and animal experiments to see whether blocking IMPDH2 slows tumor growth or restores treatment sensitivity. This builds on prior lab findings that link GTP metabolism to aggressive GBM behavior. If blocking IMPDH2 looks promising in these preclinical tests, it could support future patient trials or sample-based studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets that make glioblastoma less aggressive and more responsive to therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior laboratory studies from this group and others have linked GTP metabolism to tumor aggressiveness, but targeting IMPDH2 in patients remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sasaki, Atsuo — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Sasaki, Atsuo
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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.