NIH-funded research R01 grant

Targeted treatment for glioblastoma using a new drug approach

Official title: Combinatorial Immunotherapy using a Multivalent Drug Conjugate for GBM Treatment

Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11001446 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing a new treatment for glioblastoma, a tough type of brain cancer, using a special method to deliver targeted medicine directly to the tumor while protecting healthy brain tissue, and it has shown encouraging results in dogs with similar tumors.

More Immunotherapy research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWake Forest University Health Sciences
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Winston-Salem, United States)
Project startDecember 9, 2022
Project endNovember 30, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$603,422
NIH project number5R01CA276233-03
Project IDNIH-11001446 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with glioblastoma who have not responded well to existing treatments.

Less likely to help

Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who have already undergone extensive treatment may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a novel immunotherapy for glioblastoma (GBM), a challenging brain cancer. It utilizes a combination of targeted cytotoxins delivered through a specialized method called convection-enhanced delivery, which aims to directly attack tumor cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The approach is based on the overexpression of specific receptors in GBM cells, allowing for precise targeting. Previous trials in dogs with similar tumors have shown promising results, including significant tumor reduction and improved survival rates.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less toxic treatment options for patients with glioblastoma.

How similar studies have gone: This approach has shown success in preliminary trials with canine patients, indicating potential for effectiveness in human cases.

Where this research is happening

  • Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Winston-Salem, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Debinski, Waldemar — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
  • Study coordinator: Debinski, Waldemar

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.