Long-lasting stem-cell delivery for glioblastoma using an injectable gel and focused ultrasound
Official title: Enhanced Delivery of Cytotoxic Neural Stem Cells for Treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme Using an Innovative In-situ Thermogelling Hydrogel and Focused Ultrasound
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11192852 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | September 13, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $623,467 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA286609-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11192852 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
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.
✕Less likely to help
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.
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.
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 gone: 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
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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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Sonodynamic therapy for recurrent glioblastoma using MRI-guided focused ultrasound and ALA
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Enhanced delivery of neural stem cells to brain cancer with a biodegradable gel and focused ultrasound
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This study is testing a new way to treat glioblastoma, a tough brain cancer, by using a special gel and sound waves to help deliver helpful stem cells directly to the tumor, which could lead to better results and fewer surgeries for patients.
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MRI-guided focused ultrasound with 5‑ALA for recurrent glioblastoma
This project uses a non-invasive MRI-guided focused ultrasound together with the drug 5‑ALA as a possible treatment for people with recurrent glioblastoma.
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Role of a brain tumor RNA in glioblastoma where a unique lncRNA may drive cancer cells
A small, focused NIH grant explores how a brain cancer–related RNA called LINC01896 might control the growth of glioblastoma stem cells and influence treatment resistance.
-
Immune-boosting treatment with ultrasound-assisted brain drug delivery for newly diagnosed glioblastoma
A phase 2A trial will test a patient-friendly approach that uses a skull-implantable ultrasound device plus tiny bubbles to help immune therapies reach brain tumors in people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
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.