Understanding how immune cells in the brain interact in glioblastoma
Official title: Modulation of Microglia and T Cell Interactions in Malignant Glioma
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11110490 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how a type of immunotherapy might help patients with glioblastoma by changing the behavior of immune cells in the brain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | January 10, 2007 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $287,999 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA120813-17 |
| Project ID | NIH-11110490 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with glioblastoma who have not responded to traditional immunotherapies or who have low T cell counts might be ideal candidates for future treatments based on this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of cancer or those without glioblastoma would likely not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
What this research studies
Glioblastoma is a challenging brain cancer where the immune system often doesn't fight the tumor effectively. Unlike other cancers, glioblastoma tumors are rich in specific immune cells called macrophages and microglia that actually support tumor growth. This research suggests that a common immunotherapy, anti-PD-1, might work differently in glioblastoma by targeting these supportive immune cells in the brain. By understanding how anti-PD-1 affects these cells, we hope to find new ways to make treatments more effective for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new or improved immunotherapy strategies for glioblastoma patients, especially those who do not respond to current treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Immunotherapy has shown success in other cancers, but its effectiveness in glioblastoma has been limited, making this approach of targeting innate immunity a novel direction.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heimberger, Amy Beth — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Heimberger, Amy Beth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Synergistic blood-brain barrier opening and targeted glioma treatment with pulsed electric fields
A new approach uses tiny, rapid electric pulses to safely disrupt the brain's protective barrier and enhance targeted treatment for malignant glioma.
-
Neural stem cells carrying cancer-killing viruses to treat brain cancer
A study tests delivering a virus that specifically targets brain tumors using neural stem cells to reach cancer cells across the brain.
-
Self-assembling camptothecin gel for local brain tumor treatment
A Johns Hopkins-led study is testing a new injectable gel that releases a cancer drug over time to help treat glioblastoma after brain tumor surgery.
-
Inhibiting IDH1 to Trigger Ferroptosis in Aggressive Brain Cancer
Aimed at slowing hard-to-treat brain tumors by blocking a cancer-fueling enzyme (IDH1) in tumors that don’t have a common mutation, potentially making tumors easier to kill with radiation or immune therapies.
-
Neural stem cell delivery of cancer‑killing virus for malignant brain tumors
This work uses neural stem cells to carry cancer‑killing viruses into the brain to treat people with malignant glioma.
-
Camptothecin nanofiber gel placed after brain tumor surgery
This project is building a drug-releasing gel surgeons could place in the cavity after removing a malignant glioma to kill leftover cancer cells and help patients live longer.
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.