Making virus-based treatment work better for malignant brain tumors
Circumventing Barriers to Effective Oncolytic Virotherapy of Malignant Gliomas
This project aims to make virus-based treatments better at activating the immune system to fight glioblastoma in people with recurrent brain tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181509 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are using modified herpes viruses injected directly into tumors to kill cancer cells and wake up the immune system. They are adding immune-stimulating genes to these viruses and studying how immune cells and signals in the tumor block or help the treatment. The team combines lab studies, animal models, and human sample analysis with clinical work, including a phase 1 trial of about 50 people with recurrent GBM. Results are being used to refine virus designs and treatment strategies for future trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with recurrent glioblastoma who are medically eligible for intra-tumoral oncolytic virus therapy and able to enroll in a clinical trial.
Not a fit: Patients who are newly diagnosed and receiving standard initial therapy, those not eligible for intra-tumoral treatment, or those with medical conditions that prevent trial participation may not benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make virus-based treatments better at shrinking or controlling glioblastoma and potentially improve survival or quality of life for people with recurrent GBM.
How similar studies have performed: Early-phase clinical trials and preclinical studies of oncolytic herpes viruses have shown promise but remain experimental and results so far are preliminary.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chiocca, E. Antonio — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Chiocca, E. Antonio
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.