How the common CMV virus may affect glioblastoma treatment
Defining the role of cytomegalovirus in glioblastoma therapies
This project looks at whether a common virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV) makes glioblastoma harder to treat and whether antiviral or immune-based approaches can help people with glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11294362 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers use a mouse model that carries a lifelong CMV infection and implanted glioblastoma to see how the virus changes tumor growth and treatment response. They compare infected and uninfected animals, treat with antiviral drugs and immune-based interventions, and measure survival, blood vessel growth, immune cell infiltration, and chemotherapy resistance. The team also analyzes human data showing shorter progression-free survival in CMV-seropositive glioblastoma patients and similar gene-expression patterns to the mouse model. Findings are being used to guide whether CMV-targeted therapies could be tested in people with glioblastoma.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma—particularly those who test positive for CMV antibodies—would be the most likely candidates for related future trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors show no evidence of CMV involvement or who cannot tolerate antiviral or immune therapies may not benefit from CMV-targeted approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to antiviral or immune-based treatments that improve response and survival for people with glioblastoma.
How similar studies have performed: Early clinical trials and small studies targeting CMV in glioblastoma with antivirals and immunotherapies have reported promising responses, but larger confirmatory trials and clear mechanisms are still needed.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lawler, Sean Edward — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Lawler, Sean Edward
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.