Innate immune memory to help glioblastoma therapy
Official title: Innate immune memory for glioma immunotherapy
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11428036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke team is testing a weakened poliovirus treatment that could boost the body's immune attack on glioblastoma in patients who have the tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $509,581 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA315608-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11428036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with recurrent glioblastoma or other eligible brain tumor patients who have measurable intratumoral inflammation and specific myeloid/immunologic profiles may be suitable.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without evidence of tumor-infiltrating myeloid inflammation or IFN-I responsiveness to the virotherapy may derive less benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports studies to enhance innate immune responses inside brain tumors so that immune cells can better recognize and attack glioblastoma. Researchers are building on prior work with a live-attenuated poliovirus (PVSRIPO) delivered into the tumor to trigger Type-I interferon signaling and productive T cell responses. The project will examine how baseline inflammation and myeloid cell signatures relate to response, and explore how bone marrow–derived cells influence antiviral and antitumor programs. The aim is to identify patient characteristics and biological markers that predict benefit from this virotherapy approach and to refine strategies for activating durable antitumor immunity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could improve long-term control or survival for patients with glioblastoma by enabling stronger, lasting immune responses against the tumor.
How similar studies have gone: Prior PVSRIPO studies showed survival signals in a subset of rGBM patients, indicating potential but variable benefit.
Where this research is happening
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Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Michael Clavon — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Brown, Michael Clavon
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving glioblastoma treatment by targeting tumor inflammation
This project looks at using a new approach to help brain cancer patients with glioblastoma respond better to immunotherapy by reducing harmful inflammation in the tumor.
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Augmenting immunotherapy effects in glioma patients
A trial aims to see if adding DFMO to pembrolizumab can boost immune response and help people with grade 4 astrocytomas.
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Boosting immune therapy for glioblastoma by controlling tumor inflammation
This project will try blocking the RAGE protein to help immune treatments work better for people with glioblastoma.
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Enhancing treatment for glioblastoma by targeting tumor inflammation
This study is looking at a new way to make immunotherapy work better for people with glioblastoma, a tough type of brain cancer, by blocking a specific receptor that helps the tumor grow, and patients may have the chance to participate in trials testing this promising approach.
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Investigating how glioma tumors respond to immunotherapy
This study is looking at why some people with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, benefit from immunotherapy while others don’t, by examining tumor samples and patient information to find clues that could help improve treatment for everyone.
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Boosting immune response to fight cancer
This study is exploring a new way to help your immune system better fight cancer by tweaking certain cells in your body, and it aims to improve treatment for people with advanced cancer.
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.