Investigating how glioma tumors respond to immunotherapy
Official title: MAPK as target of glioma immunoediting by CD8 T-cells, and predictor of response to immunotherapy
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10757385 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2020 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $364,720 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS110703-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10757385 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with recurrent glioblastoma who are considering or have undergone PD1 blockade immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with glioblastoma who are not eligible for immunotherapy or have not received a diagnosis of recurrent glioblastoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding why some patients with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, respond to immunotherapy while others do not. By analyzing tumor samples and patient data, the researchers aim to identify specific molecular markers that predict a positive response to treatment. They will also explore the role of CD8 T-cells in tumor progression and how their depletion affects tumor behavior. This approach combines laboratory analysis with patient outcomes to improve treatment strategies for glioblastoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective immunotherapy treatments for glioblastoma patients, improving survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that certain patients with glioblastoma can respond positively to immunotherapy, indicating potential for success in this research approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonabend, Adam M — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Sonabend, Adam M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Innate immune memory to help glioblastoma therapy
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.