Targeting a specific receptor to develop a new treatment for glioblastoma
Targeting proton-sensing GPR68 as a ferroptosis-based therapy for glioblastoma
This study is looking at a new way to fight glioblastoma, a tough brain cancer, by testing special drugs that target a receptor activated in the acidic environment of tumors, with the hope of making cancer cells die in a new way, even those that don’t respond to regular treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Proton Bio, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10819403 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain cancer that has seen little improvement in patient survival rates over the past 40 years. The study investigates a proton-sensing receptor, GPR68, which is activated in the acidic environment of glioblastoma tumors. By developing inhibitors that target this receptor, the research aims to induce a unique form of cell death called ferroptosis in cancer cells, including those resistant to standard treatments. The project will test these inhibitors in patient-derived tumor models to evaluate their effectiveness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with glioblastoma, particularly those who have not responded to conventional therapies.
Not a fit: Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who are not diagnosed with glioblastoma may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel therapy that significantly improves survival rates for glioblastoma patients.
How similar studies have performed: While targeting GPR68 is a novel approach, previous research has shown promise in using similar strategies to target specific receptors in cancer therapy.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Proton Bio, INC. — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Charles Houston — Proton Bio, INC.
- Study coordinator: Williams, Charles Houston
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.