Understanding how glioblastoma tumors respond to immunotherapy
Official title: Identifying the Determinants of Immunoediting During Glioblastoma Immunotherapy
Funded at Harvard Medical School · NIH-11065981 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at why some people with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, respond better to immunotherapy treatments than others, by exploring the tumor's environment and its cells to find out what makes a difference in treatment success.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard Medical School NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $41,656 |
| NIH project number | 1F30CA298302-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11065981 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with glioblastoma who are considering or currently undergoing immunotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with glioblastoma who are not eligible for immunotherapy or those with other types of brain tumors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the factors that influence how glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer, responds to immunotherapy treatments like anti-PD-1 therapy. It focuses on the tumor's microenvironment and cellular characteristics that may affect treatment efficacy. By analyzing different tumor cell states, particularly those that are more resistant to standard therapies, the research aims to identify why some patients benefit from immunotherapy while others do not. The approach includes examining the immune response and tumor characteristics in patients undergoing treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved immunotherapy strategies for glioblastoma patients, potentially enhancing survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding immunotherapy responses in other cancers, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights for glioblastoma as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard Medical School
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ghannam, Jack — Harvard Medical School
- Study coordinator: Ghannam, Jack
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Immunotherapy for glioblastoma: advancing treatment and understanding
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Changing the glioblastoma tumor environment to boost immune therapy
This project tests whether blocking Wnt signaling together with PD‑1 immunotherapy can help people with glioblastoma by reducing immune‑suppressing cells and increasing tumor‑fighting immune cells.
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Neuroimaging-guided immunotherapy for glioblastoma
A patient-facing overview of a project using advanced brain imaging to guide immunotherapy treatments for glioblastoma, aiming to improve how well these therapies work.
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.