Investigating how a protein affects immune response in brain tumors
Official title: Chitinase-3-like-1 mediated immunosuppression in Glioblastoma
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11078715 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how glioblastoma, a tough brain tumor, manages to escape the body's immune defenses, focusing on a protein called CHI3L1, to find new ways to help the immune system fight the tumor better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | May 12, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $496,239 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA259124-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11078715 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with glioblastoma who are seeking innovative treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who are not eligible for immunotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor that often resists treatment. It aims to understand how glioblastoma cells evade the immune system by altering their surrounding environment. The study specifically examines the role of a protein called Chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1) in this process, using mouse models to observe changes in tumor growth and immune cell activity when CHI3L1 is silenced. By uncovering these mechanisms, the research seeks to identify new therapeutic strategies to enhance anti-tumor immunity in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for glioblastoma, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting immune evasion mechanisms in glioblastoma, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Baoli — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Hu, Baoli
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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AHR-driven immunosuppression in glioblastoma and new therapeutic targets
A personalized cancer study aims to understand why glioblastoma suppresses the immune system and to find ways to boost anti-tumor immunity in patients with this brain tumor.
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Understanding and Overcoming T cell Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma (GBM)
A large research program is looking at how glioblastoma tumors weaken immune responses and how to boost immune cells to fight GBM.
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How the protein CHI3L1 weakens immune attacks in glioblastoma
Seeing if blocking CHI3L1 helps the immune system attack glioblastoma in adults with this brain tumor.
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Understanding how certain immune cells affect glioblastoma progression
This study is looking at how certain immune cells called myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) affect glioblastoma, a tough brain cancer, and how these cells might differ between men and women, with the hope of finding better ways to help patients respond to treatments.
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Exploring ways to enhance T cell activity against glioblastoma
This study is looking at ways to make treatments for glioblastoma, a tough type of brain cancer, work better by focusing on the immune system's T cells, and it aims to find new ways to boost these cells to help patients feel better.
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Investigating how immune cells affect glioblastoma growth
This study is looking at how certain immune cells in the brain, called tumor-associated macrophages, affect glioblastoma and how we can use this information to create new treatments that help the immune system fight the tumor better.
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.