How Sema3C turns on growth signals in glioblastoma
Sema3C Signaling as an Alternative Activator of Canonical Wnt Signaling in Glioblastoma
Seeing if blocking a protein called Sema3C can help Wnt-targeting treatments work better for people with glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11318965 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I had glioblastoma, this project would try to understand how a protein called Sema3C keeps tumor stem cells alive by turning on the Wnt signaling pathway even when Wnt ligands are blocked. Researchers will examine tumor cells and use mouse models to study how Sema3C controls beta-catenin stability and its movement into the cell nucleus. They will test whether blocking Sema3C makes tumors more responsive to existing Wnt pathway inhibitors. This work is mostly laboratory and animal-based now, so it aims to point to future treatment options rather than provide immediate therapies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glioblastoma, especially whose tumors show high Sema3C/PlxnD1 activity or who have tumors resistant to Wnt-directed approaches.
Not a fit: Patients without glioblastoma or those seeking an immediate clinical therapy are unlikely to benefit directly from this primarily preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify Sema3C as a new drug target to overcome resistance to Wnt inhibitors and expand treatment options for glioblastoma patients.
How similar studies have performed: Wnt inhibitors have shown promise in lab studies but failed in clinical trials, and targeting Sema3C as an alternative activator is a relatively new, not-yet-proven approach in humans.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Jennifer S — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Yu, Jennifer S
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.