Understanding Brain Cancer Metabolism

Metabolic Regulation of Glioblastoma Epitranscriptomics

NIH-funded research University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11105891

This project explores how changes in metabolism within brain cancer cells help them grow and resist treatment, aiming to find new ways to stop them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-11105891 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Glioblastoma is a very aggressive brain cancer, and current treatments often don't work well because of special cells called glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs). These GSCs are tough to treat and can make the cancer come back. Our team is looking at how these GSCs use energy and nutrients differently, specifically focusing on how their metabolism affects their ability to survive and resist therapies. By understanding these unique metabolic pathways, we hope to discover new targets for medicines that could specifically weaken and eliminate these resistant cancer cells.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients but focuses on understanding glioblastoma, which affects adults diagnosed with brain cancer.

Not a fit: Patients without glioblastoma or those seeking immediate clinical treatment may not directly benefit from this early-stage laboratory research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that specifically target glioblastoma stem cells, potentially improving outcomes for patients with this aggressive brain cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown that targeting metabolic pathways can reduce glioblastoma stem cell growth, suggesting this approach holds promise.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Brain CancerCancers
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.