New brain-penetrant targeted medicines for adult glioblastoma
Harvard/Stanford GTN Program: Novel targeted therapeutics for glioblastoma
This program develops brain-penetrant targeted drugs intended to provide safer, more effective treatment options for adults with glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164777 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers from Harvard, Stanford, and UT Southwestern are working together to advance small-molecule drugs that can reach the brain and target specific drivers of adult glioblastoma. The work includes three parallel projects focused on IDH-mutant grade 4 astrocytoma metabolism, EGFR-driven IDH wild-type glioblastoma, and tumor–neuron interactions that promote growth. Teams will perform lead optimization and preclinical testing, then move promising candidates into early-phase and surgical-window clinical trials. The program combines laboratory studies, animal models, and trials that enroll patients undergoing surgery to accelerate translation to care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (typically 21 years or older) with diagnosed glioblastoma or IDH-mutant grade 4 astrocytoma who are eligible for early-phase or surgical-window clinical trials would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Children, people with non-glioblastoma brain tumors, patients whose tumors lack the specific molecular targets studied, or those too frail for surgical procedures are unlikely to benefit from these specific approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce new targeted therapies that better control tumor growth while reducing side effects compared with current standard treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous targeted therapies in glioblastoma have had mixed results due to tumor heterogeneity and drug delivery challenges, so this brain-penetrant, multi-project approach is promising but still experimental.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Batchelor, Tracy T — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Batchelor, Tracy T
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.