Targeting a specific receptor to develop a new treatment for glioblastoma
Official title: Targeting proton-sensing GPR68 as a ferroptosis-based therapy for glioblastoma
Funded at Proton Bio, INC. · NIH-10819403 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | August 7, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $399,214 |
| NIH project number | 1R43CA287513-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10819403 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with glioblastoma, particularly those who have not responded to conventional therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who are not diagnosed with glioblastoma may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
Proton Bio, INC.
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams, Charles Houston — Proton Bio, INC.
- Study coordinator: Williams, Charles Houston
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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.