Understanding glioblastoma and its communication with brain cells and the immune system
Official title: Quantitative systems biology of glioblastoma cells and their interactions with the neuronal and immunological milieu
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-11420536 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large NIH grant aims to map how glioblastoma cancer cells talk to neurons and immune cells, with the goal of finding new ways to treat this aggressive brain tumor.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,833,220 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA283114-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11420536 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glioblastoma or related brain tumor conditions who may contribute tissue samples or participate in studies linked to tumor-immune interactions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumor biology does not align with the studied interactions or who are not candidates for the proposed model systems may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
If you or a loved one has glioblastoma, this program seeks to build a population-scale computer model of how tumor cells, brain cells, and immune cells interact. It will use lab models and human tissue to study signaling and electrical interactions that drive tumor growth and resistance to therapy. Researchers will combine data from in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo systems to simulate tumor behavior and test ideas for better treatments. The project aims to identify strategies that could enhance traditional therapies and help the immune system clear tumor cells. The work is designed to translate computational insights into potential therapeutic approaches for GBM patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This research could lead to new treatment strategies that make glioblastoma more responsive to therapy and better controlled by the immune system.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in tumor-immune interactions has shown potential for informing new therapies, though the GBM microenvironment remains challenging and novel approaches are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: White, Forest M — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: White, Forest M
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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.