# Targeting platinum(IV) prodrug to GBM tumors using a brevican-binding peptide

> **NIH NIH R01** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2022 · $701,557

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Despite recent progress in cancer therapy, the brain tumor glioblastoma (GBM) remains an extremely
challenging disease and new therapies are much needed. One of the biggest obstacles to effective treatment
of GBM is the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which prevents the passage of most drugs into the
brain. The highly invasive nature of GBM means there are always cells that remain after surgery in otherwise
normal brain tissue, and these cells are protected behind the BBB, preventing many therapeutics from reaching
them. To address this, we have formed a collaboration between Cho’s pre-clinical GBM therapeutics group at
BWH (PI), and Pentelute’s peptide chemistry group at MIT (Co-I) to develop a new therapeutics to 1) specifically
target GBM cells, and 2) cross the BBB. Our collaboration has identified a novel peptide, called BTP-7 that can
specifically target GBM cells and penetrate the BBB, serving as a promising agent to deliver potent anti-cancer
drugs to the tumor. The Pt(IV) drug has widespread clinical use for cancer treatment, but it is unable to cross
the BBB, leading to low brain uptake and limiting its effectiveness for treating GBM. Here, we propose to attach
Pt(IV) to BTP-7 (Pt(IV)-BTP-7), with the aim to increase Pt(IV) drug delivery to intracranial GBM tumors. Our
specific aims (SA) are as follows: SA 1. Analyze Pt(IV)-BTP-7 specificity to dg-Bcan and potential to cross the
BBB in vitro. SA 2. Investigate the biodistribution (BD), pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of
Pt(IV)-BTP-7 in GBM bearing mice. SA 3. Evaluate the efficacy of Pt(IV)-BTP-7 drug in orthotopic GBM mouse
models. Our research findings could lead to the development of a highly efficacious therapeutic to benefit GBM
patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10499378
- **Project number:** 1R01CA272573-01
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Choi-Fong Cho
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $701,557
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10499378

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10499378, Targeting platinum(IV) prodrug to GBM tumors using a brevican-binding peptide (1R01CA272573-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10499378. Licensed CC0.

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