Targeted delivery to get a stabilized disulfiram–copper drug across the blood–brain barrier to fight glioblastoma resistance
Targeted drug delivery system to overcome blood-brain barrier and therapeutic resistance to current standard of care in Glioblastoma
A new carrier that stabilizes a disulfiram–copper drug is being developed to get medicine into the brain and help people whose glioblastoma resists standard chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11360642 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have glioblastoma, researchers are creating a tiny carrier (HPβCD) that holds a copper–disulfiram metabolite so the drug stays intact in the blood and reaches the tumor in the brain. The team aims to block MGMT, a tumor enzyme that makes standard chemo (temozolomide) less effective, so the tumor becomes more sensitive to treatment. Work includes lab tests in cells and preclinical experiments to show the carrier protects the drug, improves delivery past the blood–brain barrier, and reduces tumor resistance. If those steps are successful, the approach could move toward early human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with glioblastoma, especially those whose tumors show MGMT activity or who have not benefited from standard temozolomide therapy.
Not a fit: People without glioblastoma or with tumors that are driven by resistance mechanisms unrelated to MGMT are unlikely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make resistant glioblastoma tumors respond better to existing chemotherapy and potentially extend survival.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory and small studies suggested disulfiram plus copper can inhibit MGMT, but an oral phase II trial showed no survival benefit, making this stabilized delivery approach a novel solution to prior delivery failures.
Where this research is happening
Detroit, United States
- Wayne State University — Detroit, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ali, Meser M. — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Ali, Meser M.
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.