Long-lasting stem-cell delivery for glioblastoma using an injectable gel and focused ultrasound
Enhanced Delivery of Cytotoxic Neural Stem Cells for Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme Using an Innovative In-situ Thermogelling Hydrogel and Focused Ultrasound
An injectable, biodegradable gel that slowly releases tumor‑killing neural stem cells, paired with focused ultrasound to allow non-surgical re-dosing, for people with glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192852 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research is developing an injectable thermogelling hydrogel that can hold high concentrations of engineered neural stem cells and release them locally for at least three months without needing surgical removal. The gel is designed to be biodegradable and manufactured in a scalable, tunable way so it can be used safely in patients. When additional doses are needed, clinicians would use focused ultrasound to temporarily open the blood–brain barrier so systemically given stem cells can reach the tumor without repeat brain surgery. The work includes testing the gel, cell survival, biodistribution, and ultrasound delivery in models that mimic human glioblastoma to support future patient trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma who can undergo placement of a local injectable biomaterial and focused ultrasound procedures would be the best candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with diffuse or widely metastatic brain disease, tumors in locations unsuitable for gel delivery, or those who cannot undergo focused ultrasound or stem-cell therapy may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could provide longer-lasting, less invasive stem-cell therapy that lowers the need for repeat brain surgeries and may slow tumor regrowth.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work shows neural stem cells can home to brain tumors and focused ultrasound can safely open the blood–brain barrier, but combining long-acting injectable hydrogels with repeat systemic NSC dosing is largely untested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Benhabbour, Soumya Rahima — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Benhabbour, Soumya Rahima
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.