Why older adults with glioblastoma have worse outcomes
Official title: Extratumoral biological determinants that decrease survival in older adults with glioblastoma
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-11320878 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at biological differences outside the tumor that may explain why people aged 65 and older with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma have poorer survival after standard treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $385,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NS129835-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11320878 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 or older with newly diagnosed IDH-wildtype glioblastoma who can provide clinical data and tissue or blood samples.
✕Less likely to help
People younger than 65, those with IDH-mutant gliomas, or patients unwilling/unable to provide samples or clinical information are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
What this research studies
The team will compare biological signals from the tumor environment and the rest of the body in older versus younger adults with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma. They will analyze gene expression, immune features, and clinical outcomes using tissue and blood samples plus data from prior clinical trials. The work combines laboratory studies with patient samples and clinical records to find factors linked to worse survival in older patients. Findings could point to targets or strategies to help tailor therapies for older people with GBM.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could identify biological reasons for poor outcomes in older GBM patients and lead to treatments or approaches better matched to their needs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous immunotherapy and standard-treatment studies in GBM have had limited success—especially in older adults—so focusing on extratumoral biology is a relatively new approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wainwright, Derek Alan — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Wainwright, Derek Alan
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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.