# Investigating Pathophysiology of Glioma Stem Cells in 3D Bioprinted Vascularized Glioblastoma Model

> **NIH NIH R21** · TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR · 2022 · $218,462

## Abstract

SUMMARY
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor in adults with a 5-year survival rate of
less than 5%. GBMs are highly vascular and lethal brain tumors that display cellular hierarchies containing self-
renewing and radiotherapy resistant tumorigenic glioma stem cells (GSCs). Understanding of the molecular
regulation of GSCs in its native environment is critical for drug development. The available in vitro models
suffer from the momentous hurdle of lack of functional blood vessels. Vasculature is not only essential for
keeping the tumor alive but also creating a tumor microenvironment that balances the dynamics of GSCs,
enabling self-renewal and differentiation. Therefore, there is a significant need for a preclinical tumor model to
investigate the progression and the therapeutic resistance nature of GBM tumor, and thereby aid in drug
development for the treatment of GBM. The primary goal of this exploratory (R21) proposal is to (a) develop
clinically-relevant bioengineered 3D vascularized GBM organoid models and (b) utilize them to interrogate
GBM pathobiology. Specifically, 3D bioprinting approach will be used to design perfusable vascular networks
with embedded GSC organoids in a brain-like extracellular matrix. This printed structure will have the potential
to provide physiologically similar biophysical and biochemical microenvironment with perivascular niches to
facilitate maintenance of stemness cues as well as transformation of GSCs into differentiated glioma cells. As
ablation of GSCs represents a potential therapeutic approach for treatment of GBM, these bioengineered GBM
models can be utilized to understand the molecular regulation of GSCs in a microenvironment mimicking its
native surroundings. It is envisioned that these 3D bioprinted vascularized GBM models will not only serve as a
powerful platform to study GBM but will serve as invaluable tools for drug screens for precision medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10373269
- **Project number:** 1R21NS121945-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Irtisha Singh
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $218,462
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-01-01 → 2023-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10373269

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10373269, Investigating Pathophysiology of Glioma Stem Cells in 3D Bioprinted Vascularized Glioblastoma Model (1R21NS121945-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10373269. Licensed CC0.

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