Overcoming brain-tumor treatment resistance with nanosized therapies in dogs
Official title: Development of novel nanotherapeutics to overcome therapy resistance using canine brain tumor as a spontaneous model
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-11369868 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at helping dogs with high-grade brain tumors by creating tiny, smart therapies that can get into tumors and work around resistance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $634,743 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA294557-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11369868 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Dogs with spontaneous high-grade gliomas or related brain tumors who are eligible for companion-dog translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Canine patients with conditions not related to high-grade gliomas or those unsuitable for nanotherapy trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses pet dogs with spontaneous brain tumors to test new nanotherapies that may work where current treatments fail. The goal is to block autophagy and stem-like features that help tumors survive therapy, using aminoquinoline drugs in a novel nano-formulation. Researchers will study how these nanotherapies distribute in the body, cross the blood-brain barrier, and affect tumor biology in a real-world canine model. The work is designed to translate findings toward safer, more effective options for human patients with aggressive brain tumors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to better treatment options for people with high-grade gliomas by overcoming resistance mechanisms.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies in similar nano-formulations and autophagy-targeting approaches in brain tumors have shown promise but remain exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Li, Yuanpei — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Li, Yuanpei
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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.