Using a repurposed drug to boost immune attack on glioblastoma
Novel immunotherapeutic potential of DGKalpha inhibition for glioblastoma
This project will see if the older drug ritanserin, given in intermittent low doses, can help immune cells and standard treatments better fight glioblastoma.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11231679 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring a drug called ritanserin that blocks DGKα and may help the immune system attack glioblastoma. Early work in immune-competent mouse models showed intermittent low dosing worked much better than near-continuous dosing. The team will study how the drug changes macrophage and microglia behavior and whether it lowers immunosuppressive proteins on tumor cells. They will also test combinations with anti-PD-1 checkpoint therapy and the chemotherapy temozolomide to look for synergistic effects and to speed clinical translation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with glioblastoma (GBM), especially those with recurrent or treatment-resistant tumors, would be the eventual candidates for clinical trials based on this work.
Not a fit: Patients without glioblastoma or those not eligible for future immune-based or combination trials would not directly benefit from this preclinical research at present.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new immune-based treatments or combination therapies that improve outcomes for people with glioblastoma.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical studies, including mouse models, have shown promising results for DGKα inhibition combined with checkpoint blockade or temozolomide, but these approaches have not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Purow, Benjamin W. — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Purow, Benjamin W.
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 below.