Validation of a new glioblastoma treatment using a modified Zika virus
Official title: Validation of a novel treatment for glioblastoma using oncolytic Zika virus
Funded at Up Oncolytics, INC. · NIH-11204793 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach uses a modified Zika virus to target and help treat glioblastoma, a very aggressive brain cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Up Oncolytics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,268,244 |
| NIH project number | 4R44NS137868-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11204793 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with glioblastoma or those at high risk who could participate in future translational studies or early-phase trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without GBM or with conditions unrelated to brain tumors are unlikely to benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports testing a novel virus-based therapy designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and selectively reach glioblastoma cells. The project plans preclinical studies, focusing on how the virus distributes in brain tissue, its ability to enter tumor cells, and safety in models that mimic human brain cancer. Researchers will use cell lines and animal models to assess whether this therapy can reduce tumor growth while limiting effects on healthy brain tissue. The work aims to provide data that could lead to future human trials for patients with GBM.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could open a new treatment pathway for GBM and potentially extend survival for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous efforts with virus-based therapies in brain tumors show promise but remain largely exploratory, making this a potentially groundbreaking but early-stage approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Up Oncolytics, INC.
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akhtar, Parvez — Up Oncolytics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Akhtar, Parvez
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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.