Immune-boosting STING therapy for recurrent, removable glioblastoma
STINGing GBM: A First-in- Man Clinical Trial in Surgical Resectable Recurrent GBM
A new immune-activating drug (IACS-8803) will be given to people with recurrent glioblastoma that can be surgically removed to trigger an immune attack on the tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187074 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, surgeons will remove your recurrent glioblastoma and the team will give a new drug that activates the STING pathway to reprogram tumor-supporting immune cells into tumor-fighting cells. Doctors will use [18F]FLT PET scans plus blood and tumor lab tests to measure interferon responses and whether the drug hits its target. This is a first-in-human Phase I effort, so the team will closely monitor safety, different dose levels, and compare responses with your tumor's molecular features. The aim is to generate inflammation that brings cytotoxic T cells into the tumor to help control or shrink it.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with recurrent glioblastoma that is considered surgically resectable and who meet clinical safety criteria are the intended candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with newly diagnosed GBM, tumors that cannot be safely removed by surgery, or those unable to tolerate experimental immunotherapy may not be eligible or likely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could shift the tumor immune environment toward active tumor control and potentially improve outcomes for patients with recurrent GBM.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical tests in humanized mice and spontaneous high-grade gliomas in pet dogs showed promising anti-tumor activity for this STING agonist, but this is the first trial in humans.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heimberger, Amy Beth — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Heimberger, Amy Beth
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.