Using ultrasound to improve drug delivery for brain cancer treatment
Official title: Blood-brain barrier disruption with implantable ultrasound to enhance paclitaxel delivery: A Phase 1-2 clinical trial in recurrent glioblastoma
Funded at Northwestern University at Chicago · NIH-10877196 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to help deliver a brain cancer drug more effectively by using ultrasound technology to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier, and it's for patients with recurrent glioblastoma who haven't had success with standard treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $337,354 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA245969-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10877196 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with recurrent glioblastoma who have not responded to standard treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with other types of brain tumors or those who are not eligible for surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to enhance the delivery of paclitaxel, a potent drug for treating recurrent glioblastoma, by temporarily disrupting the blood-brain barrier using implanted ultrasound technology. The study involves the use of an ultrasound device that is implanted into a skull window, allowing for targeted drug delivery directly to the brain. By combining this technique with intravenous microbubbles, the researchers aim to improve drug penetration in the brain tissue, which is crucial for effectively treating brain tumors. The research is designed to assess the safety and efficacy of this method in patients who have not responded to traditional therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients with recurrent glioblastoma by enhancing the effectiveness of paclitaxel therapy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier disruption, indicating potential for success with this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sonabend, Adam M — Northwestern University at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Sonabend, Adam M
Related research
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MRI-guided focused ultrasound with 5‑ALA for recurrent glioblastoma
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A phase 2A trial will test a patient-friendly approach that uses a skull-implantable ultrasound device plus tiny bubbles to help immune therapies reach brain tumors in people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
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A new treatment approach uses patient-friendly neural stem cells delivered over several months with a biodegradable gel and ultrasound to target glioblastoma.
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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.