NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Targeting therapeutic resistance in glioblastoma (GBM)

Official title: Targeting therapeutic resistance in glioblastoma

Funded at VA Boston Health Care System · NIH-11305233 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A patient-facing description of a project to help people with glioblastoma by tackling drug resistance in brain tumor cells.

More Glioblastoma research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVA Boston Health Care System
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project startApril 1, 2023
Project endMarch 31, 2031
Funding year2027
NIH project number5I01BX006004-04
Project IDNIH-11305233 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with glioblastoma, particularly those whose tumors express ABCB5 or related resistance markers, could be eligible in future studies.

Less likely to help

If the tumor does not rely on ABCB5 for resistance, or if participants have different molecular profiles, benefits may be limited.

What this research studies

This project focuses on glioblastoma, a very aggressive brain cancer, and aims to find ways to overcome why tumorsstop responding to current treatments. Researchers are studying cancer stem cell subtypes and a protein called ABCB5 that appears to help GBM cells resist therapy. The work builds on prior findings that link ABCB5 to poorer outcomes and drug resistance in GBM. By understanding how ABCB5 contributes to resistance, scientists hope to develop strategies that make treatments more durable for patients. The study is conducted here at VA Boston Health Care System with the aim of improving future options for people living with GBM.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to therapies that overcome resistance and extend survival for GBM patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked ABCB5 to drug resistance and stem-like properties in GBM, with some preclinical success in overcoming resistance.

Where this research is happening

  • VA Boston Health Care System
    Boston, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Frank, Natasha Y — VA Boston Health Care System
  • Study coordinator: Frank, Natasha Y

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.