Using engineered T cells to treat glioblastoma
Official title: Engineering T Cell Adoptive Therapy for Glioblastoma
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11091578 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new treatment for glioblastoma, a tough type of brain cancer, by using specially engineered immune cells to help the body fight the tumor better, with hopes of making this therapy available for patients in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $642,482 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS130209-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11091578 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults diagnosed with glioblastoma who are 21 years or older.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of T cell receptor (TCR) directed therapy in treating glioblastoma, a challenging brain cancer with poor outcomes. The approach involves the adoptive transfer of engineered T cells to enhance the immune response against the tumor. Researchers will study preclinical models to understand how these T cells can effectively target glioblastoma cells, overcoming the unique challenges posed by the brain's immune environment. The ultimate goal is to pave the way for future clinical applications of this therapy in patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new immunotherapy options for glioblastoma patients, potentially improving treatment outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While immunotherapy has shown success in other cancers, this specific approach for glioblastoma is novel and has not yet been tested in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunn, Gavin Peter — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Dunn, Gavin Peter
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Small molecules to block Slit2/ROBO in glioblastoma
A study to test small molecule drugs that block Slit2/ROBO signals to help treat glioblastoma in patients.
-
Immunotherapy for glioblastoma: advancing treatment and understanding
A patient-friendly summary of a grant exploring new immune-based treatments for glioblastoma to improve options for people affected by this brain cancer.
-
Small-molecule and biologic treatments for glioblastoma using targeted brain delivery
A new approach aims to use FPS-ZM1 to shrink brain swelling and support immunotherapy for glioblastoma, potentially helping patients recover after surgery.
-
Targeted therapies for glioblastoma in adults and kids
A large NIH program is exploring new brain cancer therapies, including drugs that reach the brain and work against glioblastoma in both children and adults.
-
6-thio-2'-deoxyguanosine for glioblastoma: a new approach to target tumors before surgery
A trial tests a novel drug given before glioblastoma surgery to see how it behaves in the body and within the tumor, and to learn how it affects cancer cells and the immune environment.
-
CD38-Driven Changes in Brain Tumor Metabolism and Immunity in Glioblastoma
A patient-facing look at how scientists plan to study how glioblastoma grows by changing its metabolism and dampening the immune response, with potential targets to help treatment in the future.
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.