Overcoming Radiation Resistance in Glioblastoma by Targeting Cell Fate Transitions
Official title: Exploiting cell fate transition to overcome radiation resistance in glioblastoma
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11412228 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke University study aims to make radiation therapy more effective for glioblastoma patients by blocking how cancer cells change into a resistant state.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | July 28, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $627,652 |
| NIH project number | 7R01CA282756-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412228 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with glioblastoma or glioma stem-like cell biology relevant to radiation resistance may be eligible for related sampling or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on the identified resistance pathways may see little to no benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses patient-derived glioma stem-like cells to study how these cells transition between subtypes that resist radiation. Researchers will combine targeted drugs with standard radiation therapy to see if the cancer cells become more sensitive to treatment. They will use genome-wide screens and protein analyses to identify actionable targets in metabolic, epigenetic, and DNA repair pathways. The goal is to translate findings into better-radiation strategies for people with glioblastoma.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could make radiation more effective against glioblastoma, potentially improving survival and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data link certain molecular pathways to radiation resistance in glioblastoma, with some prior studies showing promise for targeting these pathways.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sulman, Erik — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Sulman, Erik
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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.