Using an antiepileptic drug to treat aggressive brain tumors
Official title: Pharmacological and Chemical Approaches to Repurpose an Antiepileptic for Glioblastoma Treatment
Funded at St. John's University · NIH-11086783 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether an existing epilepsy medication called stiripentol can be used to help treat glioblastoma, a tough type of brain tumor, by seeing how it affects cancer cells and if it can get past barriers in the brain, with the hope of finding better treatment options for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. John's University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Queens, United States) |
| Project start | May 11, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $164,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM145557-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086783 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with glioblastoma, particularly those who have not responded well to existing therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who are not diagnosed with glioblastoma may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the potential of repurposing an FDA-approved antiepileptic drug, stiripentol, to treat glioblastoma, a highly aggressive brain tumor. The study focuses on understanding how this drug affects cancer cell metabolism and its ability to overcome challenges such as drug resistance and delivery across the blood-brain barrier. By screening various metabolic inhibitors, the researchers aim to identify effective treatments that could improve patient outcomes. Patients may be involved in trials to assess the drug's efficacy and safety in this new context.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a novel treatment option for glioblastoma patients, potentially improving survival rates and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of repurposing existing drugs for new indications is common, the specific use of stiripentol for glioblastoma treatment is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
St. John's University
Queens, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dukhande, Vikas Vasudeo — St. John's University
- Study coordinator: Dukhande, Vikas Vasudeo
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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.