Targeting tumor metabolism in IDH‑mutant grade 4 astrocytoma
Official title: Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities in Astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, Grade 4
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11164786 · Data updated 2026-11-12
People with IDH‑mutant grade 4 astrocytoma will get a short presurgery dose of a brain‑penetrant drug that blocks nucleotide metabolism to look for early effects on the tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $191,298 |
| NIH project number | 5U19CA264504-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11164786 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with IDH‑mutant grade 4 astrocytoma who are scheduled for surgical tumor resection and meet medical safety criteria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors do not have an IDH1/2 mutation, those not undergoing surgery, or people who cannot safely receive the study drug are unlikely to benefit from this trial.
What this research studies
You would be eligible if your tumor has an IDH1 or IDH2 mutation and you are scheduled for surgery. Before surgery you'll receive a short course of a brain‑penetrant drug that interferes with nucleotide metabolism, and tumor tissue removed at surgery will be analyzed for signs the drug worked. Laboratory and molecular tests will look for tumor cell death and metabolic changes caused by the drug compared with untreated samples. This is an early surgical window (phase 0) trial designed to guide future, larger clinical studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could point to a tumor‑selective therapy for IDH‑mutant gliomas and accelerate development of new treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical studies show nucleotide‑metabolism inhibitors preferentially kill IDH‑mutant glioma cells, but this surgical window trial is an early clinical test and broader clinical benefit remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Batchelor, Tracy T — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Batchelor, Tracy T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Targeting epigenetic changes in IDH‑mutant, ATRX‑loss adult astrocytoma
Researchers are working to help the immune system better recognize and attack adult astrocytoma tumors that have IDH mutations and ATRX loss.
-
Advanced brain MRI to understand thinking and memory in low-grade astrocytoma
This project uses advanced MRI scans to link brain changes with thinking and quality of life in people with lower-grade astrocytoma.
-
Understanding how certain brain tumors evade the immune system
This study is looking at how certain brain tumors called astrocytomas, which often affect younger adults, can avoid being attacked by the immune system, and it aims to find new ways to make treatments work better by understanding how these tumors interact with immune cells.
-
Targeting metabolic weaknesses in a type of brain tumor called IDH-mutant astrocytoma.
This study is looking for new ways to treat a type of brain tumor called IDH-mutant grade 4 astrocytomas by testing a special drug that targets the tumor's unique weaknesses, with the hope of killing the cancer cells while keeping healthy cells safe.
-
Evaluating cognitive function in patients with lower grade astrocytomas using advanced brain imaging techniques.
This study is looking at how special brain scans can help us understand how lower grade astrocytomas affect thinking and memory in patients, with the hope of finding ways to improve their quality of life and support those who might struggle with cognitive issues.
-
Investigating a new treatment for recurrent brain tumors using a viral vector and a prodrug.
This study is looking at a new treatment for people with tough brain tumors called glioblastoma or anaplastic astrocytoma, using a special combination of therapies to see if it can help them live longer and fight their tumors better.
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.