Learning how gliomas survive by sampling tumors during surgery
Glioma intelligence from behind enemy lines
['FUNDING_R37'] · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · NIH-11294363
This project uses tiny probes during brain surgery to sample tumor chemistry so doctors can learn how gliomas survive and how they might respond to treatments.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R37'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11294363 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If I take part, surgeons will place a small microdialysis probe in the tumor during my operation to collect chemicals released by the tumor into the surrounding brain. The team will trace methionine-related pathways and compare the chemistry from tumor tissue and nearby normal brain to find metabolic patterns, such as increased polyamine-related molecules like guanidinoacetate. Removed tumor tissue will be analyzed to find which cells are making those metabolites. The goal is to see if this sampling can give real-time, patient-specific biochemical feedback that could guide early drug testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with glioma who are scheduled for surgical resection and can safely have intraoperative microdialysis at the surgical site.
Not a fit: Patients who will not have surgery, have non-glioma brain conditions, or are too medically fragile for intraoperative procedures are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could help personalize therapies by showing how an individual tumor metabolically responds to treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Early pilot data from this team showed strong metabolic signals (including guanidinoacetate) in intraoperative microdialysate, indicating the approach is feasible but still novel for guiding therapy.
Where this research is happening
ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES
- MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER — ROCHESTER, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BURNS, TERRY — MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- Study coordinator: BURNS, TERRY
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 below.
Conditions: Brain Cancer