Improving stem cell therapy for brain cancer using 3D printing
Official title: Harnessing Continuous Liquid Interface 3D Printing to Improve Tumor-homing Stem Cell Therapy for Post-surgical Brain Cancer
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11011262 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how to make brain cancer treatment better by using special 3D-printed structures that help deliver healing stem cells right to the tumor site after surgery, aiming to improve recovery for patients with glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $430,654 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA269974-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11011262 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have undergone surgery for glioblastoma and are at risk of tumor recurrence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who have not had surgery for glioblastoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the effectiveness of tumor-homing neural stem cells in treating glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer. By utilizing advanced 3D printing techniques, the study aims to create custom-designed scaffolds that improve the delivery and persistence of these stem cells in the brain after surgery. The researchers will evaluate how different scaffold designs affect the stem cells' ability to migrate, release anti-cancer agents, and ultimately kill tumor cells. This innovative approach could lead to more effective treatments for patients recovering from brain cancer surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the recurrence of glioblastoma in patients after surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using 3D printing for medical applications, but this specific approach targeting glioblastoma is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hingtgen, Shawn — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Hingtgen, Shawn
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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.