Investigating the role of CCL3 in enhancing immune responses against brain tumors
Official title: Clinical Neuroimmunology of CCL3 in Brain Tumors
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11076254 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a substance called CCL3 can help boost the immune system in people with glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor, by making special vaccines work better to fight the cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $320,248 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA289789-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076254 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with malignant brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma, who are seeking new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-malignant brain tumors or those who have already exhausted all treatment options may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how the chemokine CCL3 can improve the immune response in patients with malignant brain tumors, particularly glioblastoma. The study aims to enhance the effectiveness of dendritic cell vaccines, which are designed to stimulate the body’s immune system to attack tumor cells. By administering CCL3, the researchers hope to improve the migration of these immune cells to the tumor site and lymph nodes, potentially leading to better patient outcomes. The approach involves both laboratory studies and clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of this treatment strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective treatments for brain tumors, improving survival rates and quality of life for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been individual cases of success with dendritic cell vaccines, overall responses in early trials have been limited, making this approach both novel and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gunn, Michael D — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Gunn, Michael D
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Understanding how epigenetic changes drive pediatric brain tumor recurrence and how reversing them could help
A pediatric brain cancer research project is exploring how an epigenetic change (H3K27M) and tumor environment contribute to tumor coming back, using a reversible mouse model to study potential ways to prevent recurrence.
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.