Immune-boosting treatment with ultrasound-assisted brain drug delivery for newly diagnosed glioblastoma
Official title: A PHASE 2A TRIAL OF IMMUNE MODULATION IN COMBINATION WITH ULTRASOUND-MEDIATED BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER OPENING IN PATIENTS WITH NEWLY DIAGNOSED GLIOBLASTOMA
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11391736 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A phase 2A trial will test a patient-friendly approach that uses a skull-implantable ultrasound device plus tiny bubbles to help immune therapies reach brain tumors in people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $548,724 |
| NIH project number | 2R01CA245969-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11391736 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with newly diagnosed glioblastoma who are eligible for immune therapy and can undergo ultrasound-assisted drug delivery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not respond to the combination therapy or who have contraindications to ultrasound or the drugs used.
What this research studies
This trial tests a combination therapy aimed at helping the immune system attack glioblastoma by crossing the blood-brain barrier with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and microbubbles, while giving a drug that can modulate immune response. Patients will receive the ultrasound-assisted delivery alongside liposomal doxorubicin to reshape the tumor environment and potentially boost immune activity. The study builds on prior findings that this method can make large molecules reach brain tissue and that DOX can enhance immunotherapy responses. Participants should expect regular imaging and safety monitoring to assess tumor response and treatment tolerability.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience better immune activation against glioblastoma and improved disease control.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical and limited human data suggest ultrasound-facilitated delivery can enhance antibody and chemotherapy penetration and immune effects, but larger trials are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonabend, Adam M — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Sonabend, Adam M
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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.