TAZ and YAP in Brain Cancer: How They Help Glioblastoma Grow and Resist Treatment
Official title: Novel Roles of TAZ and YAP in DNA Damage Repair with 3D Genome Organization and the Therapeutic Resistance in Glioblastoma
Funded at Mayo Clinic Arizona · NIH-11336906 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Mayo Clinic team is studying how TAZ and YAP proteins affect DNA repair and treatment resistance in glioblastoma, with the goal of finding new ways to stop tumor growth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Scottsdale, United States) |
| Project start | June 3, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $439,965 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS127922-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336906 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glioblastoma, or glioma stem-like cells derived from GBM, may be relevant for translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without GBM or without access to related tissue samples or trials may not benefit.
What this research studies
Glioblastoma is a fast-growing brain cancer that often resists standard therapies. This project looks at TAZ and YAP, two proteins that appear to drive tumor progression and therapy resistance by influencing DNA repair and genome organization. By studying how these proteins change gene regulation in glioma stem-like cells, the researchers hope to uncover targets to make treatments more effective. The work combines molecular biology with analysis of how cells respond to radiation to map potential vulnerabilities in GBM. If successful, the findings could lead to strategies that prevent relapse and improve survival for patients with GBM.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could identify new targets to make glioblastoma more responsive to therapy and reduce relapse.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows YAP/TAZ influence on cancer stem-like cell behavior and therapy response in brain tumors, with promising but early translational potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Arizona
Scottsdale, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bhat, Krishna Pl — Mayo Clinic Arizona
- Study coordinator: Bhat, Krishna Pl
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Small molecules to block Slit2/ROBO in glioblastoma
A study to test small molecule drugs that block Slit2/ROBO signals to help treat glioblastoma in patients.
-
Immunotherapy for glioblastoma: advancing treatment and understanding
A patient-friendly summary of a grant exploring new immune-based treatments for glioblastoma to improve options for people affected by this brain cancer.
-
Small-molecule and biologic treatments for glioblastoma using targeted brain delivery
A new approach aims to use FPS-ZM1 to shrink brain swelling and support immunotherapy for glioblastoma, potentially helping patients recover after surgery.
-
Targeted therapies for glioblastoma in adults and kids
A large NIH program is exploring new brain cancer therapies, including drugs that reach the brain and work against glioblastoma in both children and adults.
-
6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine for glioblastoma: a new approach to target tumors before surgery
A trial tests a novel drug given before glioblastoma surgery to see how it behaves in the body and within the tumor, and to learn how it affects cancer cells and the immune environment.
-
CD38-Driven Changes in Brain Tumor Metabolism and Immunity in Glioblastoma
A patient-facing look at how scientists plan to study how glioblastoma grows by changing its metabolism and dampening the immune response, with potential targets to help treatment in the future.
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.