Spatial imaging of whole tumor genomics in glioblastoma
Official title: Project 1: Spatial imaging of whole tumor genomics to understand glioblastoma formation and evolution
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11413784 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-centered look at how mapping all regions of a glioblastoma tumor in 3D could reveal common genetic targets and help guide future therapies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2007 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $480,584 |
| NIH project number | 5P01CA118816-18 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413784 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with newly diagnosed or recurrent glioblastoma who are candidates for tumor sampling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors are not amenable to comprehensive 3D mapping or whose disease biology does not align with the study’s methods may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will create 3D maps of glioblastoma tumors from 25 newly diagnosed and 25 recurrent patients to capture how the cancer varies across the tumor. Researchers will link the 3D tumor maps to genetic and epigenetic data, aiming to identify targets that are present in most tumor regions. An interactive ShinyApp will let clinicians and patients explore the tumor’s architecture and lineage. The work could redefine how we understand tumor evolution and target selection in GBM.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more reliable targets for therapies that address the whole tumor.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research shows that tumor-wide analysis can reveal shared targets, but this approach is expanding to full 3D spatial mapping in GBM.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Costello, Joseph F — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Costello, Joseph F
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.