Vascular signals that shape immune cells in brain tumors
Official title: Vascular regulation of macrophage function in brain tumor
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11278699 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at UPenn will explore how blood vessels influence macrophages in glioblastoma to help develop better brain tumor immunotherapies for adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 6, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $594,899 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA308355-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11278699 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with glioblastoma or other primary brain tumors who could participate in future translational studies or related trials.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without brain tumors or those not eligible for future trials may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the blood vessel environment in brain tumors drives macrophages to support tumor growth and how that interaction can be targeted to improve immunotherapy for adults with glioblastoma. The team uses human and mouse brain tumor samples to map cell interactions at the single-cell level and identify key signals from endothelial cells that push macrophages toward a pro-tumor state. They aim to uncover mechanisms, like Twist1 and osteopontin, that sustain immunosuppression, with the goal of reversing it to enhance therapy effectiveness. Outcomes could inform new treatment strategies that make brain tumors more responsive to immune-based approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new immunotherapy strategies that overcome immunosuppressive barriers in brain tumors and improve patient survival.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that targeting tumor-associated macrophages and the tumor vasculature can modulate immune responses in brain tumors, supporting potential benefit for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gong, Yanqing Anna — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Gong, Yanqing Anna
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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.