Targeting a specific receptor on brain cancer cells to enhance T cell activity
Understanding the Behavior of Novel IL13Ralpha2-directed T cell Engager for GBM
This study is testing a new treatment for glioblastoma, a tough type of brain cancer, using special tools that help the immune system find and attack the cancer cells without harming normal brain cells, with the hope of making things better for patients battling this disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11056717 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel therapy for glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive brain cancer. It utilizes bi-specific T cell engagers (BiTEs) that can activate T cells to specifically target and kill GBM cells by binding to a receptor called IL13Rα2, which is found on these cancer cells but not on normal brain cells. The study aims to understand how these BiTEs behave in the body, including their ability to penetrate tumors and activate immune responses. By advancing this targeted approach, the research seeks to improve treatment outcomes for patients with GBM.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with glioblastoma who have not responded well to standard treatments.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who are not adults may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new targeted therapy that significantly improves survival rates for patients with glioblastoma.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results with similar bi-specific T cell engager approaches in treating various cancers, indicating potential for success in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Balyasnikova, Irina V — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Balyasnikova, Irina V
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.