Restoring the brain protein BAI1 to slow aggressive glioblastoma
Mechanisms underlying BAI1/ADGRB1 negative regulation of glioblastoma mesenchymal transition and invasion.
Looks at whether restoring a brain protein called BAI1 can reduce invasive, aggressive behavior of glioblastoma tumors in people with glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145871 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have glioblastoma, this work focuses on a brain protein called ADGRB1/BAI1 that is often switched off in these tumors. Researchers will restore BAI1 in tumor cells and study whether that reduces the tumor's ability to invade nearby brain tissue using lab experiments and mouse models. They will examine how BAI1 interacts with signals such as TGFβ1 and a specific TSR1 motif that drive the mesenchymal switch making tumors more aggressive. The goal is to find molecular targets that could lead to new treatments to slow or stop tumor spread.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People diagnosed with glioblastoma or other malignant gliomas, particularly tumors showing low BAI1 expression, would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical work.
Not a fit: People without glioblastoma or whose tumors do not use the BAI1/TGFβ1 mesenchymal pathway are unlikely to benefit from findings from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new therapies that slow tumor invasion and potentially improve survival for people with glioblastoma.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and mouse studies from the team show that restoring BAI1 can reduce invasive behavior, but this approach has not yet been proven effective in patients.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Meir, Erwin G. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Van Meir, Erwin G.
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.