Targeting EGFR-amplified glioblastoma by blocking the ELDR RNA
Therapeutic Targeting in EGFR-amplified Glioblastoma
This project tests whether blocking a cancer-linked RNA called ELDR can weaken EGFR-driven glioblastoma tumors in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309647 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I have an EGFR-amplified glioblastoma, this research looks at a nearby RNA called ELDR that is much higher in those tumors and helps them grow. Scientists will study how ELDR binds to a protein called PURA and how that interaction affects tumor cells, mostly using laboratory-grown human tumor cells and preclinical models. The team will try blocking ELDR to see whether tumor growth or survival pathways are reduced and whether that makes tumors more vulnerable to other treatments. Findings would guide whether ELDR could become a new therapeutic target for people whose tumors have EGFR amplification.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with IDH wild-type glioblastoma whose tumors show EGFR amplification or EGFR-activating mutations are the most relevant group for this work.
Not a fit: People with GBM that lack EGFR amplification, patients with IDH-mutant tumors, pediatric patients, or those unable to provide tumor samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new targeted treatment options for people with EGFR-amplified glioblastoma, potentially slowing tumor growth or improving responses to therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Direct EGFR-targeting drugs have largely failed in glioblastoma clinically, and targeting the ELDR long noncoding RNA is a novel, primarily preclinical approach with limited prior clinical evidence.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cheng, Shi-Yuan — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Cheng, Shi-Yuan
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.