Understanding how a brain tumor protein stops glioblastoma from spreading
Official title: Mechanisms underlying BAI1/ADGRB1 negative regulation of glioblastoma mesenchymal transition and invasion.
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11406086 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to learn how a brain-specific protein, ADGRB1/BAI1, prevents glioblastoma cells from invading nearby brain tissue and to explore new treatments that could help patients with this deadly cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $344,780 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS117666-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11406086 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glioblastoma or related gliomas and whose tumors show low ADGRB1 expression may be most relevant for future applications.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without glioblastoma or those whose tumors do not involve the ADGRB1 pathway may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how glioblastoma cells become more invasive through a mesenchymal switch and how ADGRB1/BAI1 can block that process. Researchers will study how restoring ADGRB1 expression affects tumor cell behavior in cell cultures and mouse models, especially its interaction with growth-factor signals like TGFβ1. The goal is to identify mechanisms that limit invasion and test related therapeutic approaches in preclinical settings. If successful, findings could point to new brain cancer therapies that slow progression and improve outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the mechanisms are confirmed, patients could benefit from new treatments that reduce tumor spread and potentially extend survival.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical evidence suggests restoring ADGRB1 can suppress mesenchymal traits and invasion in glioma models, supporting this line of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Van Meir, Erwin G. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Van Meir, Erwin G.
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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.