Stopping radiation resistance in glioblastoma
Project 2: Overcoming GBM RT-resistance
This project gives a brain-penetrant drug that blocks purine metabolism together with standard radiation and temozolomide to people with glioblastoma to try to make radiation work better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180416 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you would receive an FDA-approved, brain-penetrant drug that lowers purine metabolism alongside standard radiation and temozolomide. Researchers will collect tumor samples and use lab models to study how nearby non-cancer cells promote tumor metabolism and radiation resistance. They will measure purine pathway activity in patient tumors to identify who may have the resistance mechanism. The project includes a Phase 1B clinical trial to test safety and look for early signs of benefit.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with newly diagnosed glioblastoma who are scheduled for standard radiation plus temozolomide and who can safely take the purine metabolism inhibitor are the likely candidates.
Not a fit: Patients whose tumors do not depend on purine metabolism, who cannot tolerate the study drug or radiation, or who have medical issues preventing protocol treatment may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could make radiation more effective against glioblastoma and help delay or prevent tumor recurrence, potentially improving survival and outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies support targeting purine metabolism and metabolic therapies have shown promise, but combining a brain-penetrant purine inhibitor with radiation in patients is a new clinical approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wahl, Daniel R — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Wahl, Daniel R
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.