Restore immune cells’ ability to eat glioblastoma cells by targeting QKI/PPARb/RXRa in GBM
Official title: Project 2: Restore Myeloid Phagocytosis in Glioblastoma by Targeting the QKI/PPARb/RXRa Complex
Funded at University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · NIH-11404904 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at helping people with glioblastoma by boosting how brain immune cells eat tumor cells and present them to the immune system.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2008 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $372,779 |
| NIH project number | 5P50CA127001-18 |
| Project ID | NIH-11404904 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glioblastoma or individuals with glioblastoma-derived samples may be relevant for related studies or future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not rely on GAM dysfunction or who cannot tolerate the drugs may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at brain tumor immune cells that are often suppressive and fail to clear cancer cells. Researchers are studying a specific molecular complex (QKI/PPARb/RXRa) that influences membrane properties and the ability of immune cells to phagocytose glioblastoma cells. By using human and mouse tumor samples, they will test whether activating this complex with existing drugs can restore phagocytosis and promote anti-tumor immune responses. The work combines genetic and pharmacologic approaches to see if boosting GAM phagocytosis can slow tumor growth. If successful, it could guide new therapeutic strategies for GBM patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the approach works, patients with glioblastoma could benefit from treatments that empower brain immune cells to attack the tumor.
How similar studies have gone: Similar strategies have shown that targeting GAMs can influence glioblastoma progression in preclinical models, but this remains an active area of research.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hu, Jian — University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hu, Jian
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Small molecules to block Slit2/ROBO in glioblastoma
A study to test small molecule drugs that block Slit2/ROBO signals to help treat glioblastoma in patients.
-
Immunotherapy for glioblastoma: advancing treatment and understanding
A patient-friendly summary of a grant exploring new immune-based treatments for glioblastoma to improve options for people affected by this brain cancer.
-
Small-molecule and biologic treatments for glioblastoma using targeted brain delivery
A new approach aims to use FPS-ZM1 to shrink brain swelling and support immunotherapy for glioblastoma, potentially helping patients recover after surgery.
-
Targeted therapies for glioblastoma in adults and kids
A large NIH program is exploring new brain cancer therapies, including drugs that reach the brain and work against glioblastoma in both children and adults.
-
6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine for glioblastoma: a new approach to target tumors before surgery
A trial tests a novel drug given before glioblastoma surgery to see how it behaves in the body and within the tumor, and to learn how it affects cancer cells and the immune environment.
-
CD38-Driven Changes in Brain Tumor Metabolism and Immunity in Glioblastoma
A patient-facing look at how scientists plan to study how glioblastoma grows by changing its metabolism and dampening the immune response, with potential targets to help treatment in the future.
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.