Nanoparticle-boosted laser heat treatment for glioblastoma
Nanotherapeutic enhancement of interstitial thermal therapy for glioblastoma
This work aims to use tiny particles to help MRI-guided laser heat treatment work better for people with glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11235096 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers plan to combine MRI-guided, robot-controlled laser heating (LITT) with specially designed nanoparticles that carry drugs or amplify the heat effect. During treatment the laser probe will heat the tumor while the nanoparticles help medicine cross the blood–brain barrier and make tumor cells more sensitive to radiation. The team will use lab models and clinical samples and build on ongoing early-phase LITT trials to refine safety, dosing, and delivery. The focus is on deep or recurrent glioblastoma that are hard to remove with standard surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people with glioblastoma, especially deep-seated or recurrent tumors being considered for MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT).
Not a fit: Patients with tumors that can be removed by standard surgery, those who cannot undergo MRI-guided procedures, or those with serious medical contraindications to surgery or radiation may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make laser ablation and follow-up radiation more effective at destroying tumor cells, slow recurrence, and potentially extend survival or quality of life for some patients.
How similar studies have performed: MRI-guided LITT has shown promising early results in clinical trials for hard-to-reach or recurrent GBM, but combining it with nanotherapeutics to improve drug delivery is a newer approach with limited human data so far.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- University of Maryland Baltimore — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Woodworth, Graeme F — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Woodworth, Graeme F
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.