Peptide-guided platinum chemotherapy for glioblastoma
Targeting platinum(IV) prodrug to GBM tumors using a brevican-binding peptide
A peptide that carries platinum chemotherapy across the blood–brain barrier is being developed to reach glioblastoma tumors in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11164481 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers attach a platinum(IV) prodrug to a peptide called BTP-7 that binds brevican, a protein found on glioblastoma cells, aiming to guide the drug into tumors. They will test whether the linked compound crosses the blood–brain barrier, homes to tumor cells, and releases active platinum in lab-grown cells and animal models. The team will study biodistribution, tumor targeting, and anti-tumor effects in mice with intracranial GBM and in blood–brain barrier models to measure brain uptake. If preclinical results are promising, the approach could move toward early human trials to see if it safely improves chemotherapy delivery to GBM patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), particularly those with residual or recurrent tumor after surgery, would be the likely candidates for future human testing.
Not a fit: People without brain tumors, those with non-GBM brain cancers, or patients who cannot tolerate platinum chemotherapy are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could deliver higher doses of chemotherapy directly to brain tumors and potentially improve control of glioblastoma with fewer systemic side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Peptide-based blood–brain barrier shuttles and drug conjugates have shown promise in lab and animal studies, but using a brevican-binding peptide to deliver platinum to GBM is experimental and has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cho, Choi-Fong — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Cho, Choi-Fong
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.