Investigating a new treatment for glioblastoma using a modified DNA compound

6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine in GBM: Pre-clinical Evaluation of Mechanism of action, Efficacy and Biomarker identification

NIH-funded research Duke University · NIH-10919212

This study is looking at a new treatment for glioblastoma, a tough type of brain cancer, using a special compound that may help kill cancer cells by targeting an enzyme they need to survive, and it aims to find ways to make this treatment work better for patients like you in the future.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10919212 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on glioblastoma, a severe type of brain cancer, and aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a compound called 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine (6-thio-dG) that targets telomerase, an enzyme that helps cancer cells survive. The study will explore how this compound can damage cancer cells' DNA and potentially lead to their death. By understanding the mechanism of action and identifying biomarkers, the research seeks to develop a targeted therapy that can cross the blood-brain barrier and improve treatment outcomes for patients with glioblastoma. Patients may be involved in pre-clinical evaluations that could lead to future clinical trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older diagnosed with glioblastoma or other gliomas that have specific genetic alterations activating telomerase.

Not a fit: Patients with glioblastoma who do not have the genetic alterations targeted by this research may not benefit from the treatment being investigated.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new, effective treatment option for patients with glioblastoma, potentially improving survival rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in targeting telomerase in cancer treatment, but the specific approach using 6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in glioblastoma.

Where this research is happening

Durham, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Brain CancerCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.