Role of tissue stiffness in brain tumor immunity
Official title: The role of ECM-mediated mechanosignaling on regional immunosuppression in GBM
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-11399795 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in glioblastoma patients and models aims to understand how the stiffness of the tumor environment affects immune cells and tumor growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $306,509 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM135004-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399795 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glioblastoma or those contributing tissue samples for research related to GBM biology may be suitable.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without GBM or without access to related tissue samples may not benefit from this specific study.
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring how the extracellular matrix in glioblastoma changes stiffness and how this affects immune cells in different tumor regions. They will investigate a specific signaling pathway (HA-CD44-STAT3/ZEB1) and see if it drives immune suppression via M-MDSCs. The project uses a combination of biological and imaging techniques to map regional changes and test potential interventions. The goal is to identify new targets that could make immunotherapies more effective for GBM patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to reduce immune suppression in GBM and improve treatment options for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that the tumor microenvironment and immune cell dynamics vary by region and can be linked to biophysical properties, supporting the potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Joseph — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Chen, Joseph
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Understanding and Overcoming T cell Immunosuppression in Glioblastoma (GBM)
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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.