Low-intensity ultrasound to release chemotherapy directly into pediatric brain tumors
Official title: Low-intensity focused ultrasound for targeted release of liposomal doxorubicin in pediatric diffuse midline glioma.
Funded at Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ · NIH-11442446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small grant is exploring a targeted way to open the blood-brain barrier and release chemotherapy right at the tumor site in kids with a dangerous brain tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $84,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R03EB040376-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11442446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are children with diffuse midline glioma or related tumors who could be eligible for experimental therapies in a clinical setting.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without DMG or without access to experimental targeted therapies may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses gentle ultrasound and microbubbles to temporarily open the protective barrier around the brain and heat-trigger the release of a chemotherapy drug from special liposomes directly into the tumor region of the pons. They have shown that the drug can kill patient-derived tumor cells in the lab and that the liposomes release the drug quickly at a safe heat. The team will fine-tune ultrasound settings and dosing to maximize localized drug release while checking safety and potential brain toxicity. If the approach proves effective, they plan to test it in patient-derived tumor models to pave the way for a future clinical option for DMG.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could allow higher, targeted chemotherapy delivery to pediatric brain tumors with potentially fewer systemic side effects.
How similar studies have gone: Similar targeted delivery approaches have shown promise in preclinical models, but this exact combination for DMG is novel and early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, Brice — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Martin, Brice
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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.