# Diversity Supplement Ifediora: Image-based models of tumor-immune dynamics in glioblastoma

> **NIH NIH U01** · MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA · 2023 · $81,303

## Abstract

Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most common of all gliomas with a median survival 14-18
months, despite aggressive treatment regimens. However, glioma is a disease that
encompasses more than just cancer cells. In fact, many studies have shown that glioma can
alter the brain microenvironment in ways that promote tumor survival and propagation. Within
this brain tumor microenvironment is a diversity of cell types. One of particular group of interest
is glioma associated microglia and macrophages (GAMMs), an important component of the
immune cells in the brain. As a result, immunotherapy is emerging as a promising method to
treat cancer; however, we are not able to identify early response or predict who will respond.
While biopsies are the most reliable way to assess the immunological landscape within the
tumor, we are limited both spatially and temporally in the number of biopsies we can obtain,
particularly for brain tumor patients. The heterogeneity of the tumor-immune landscape across
patients suggests that a patient-specific approach will be required to accurately assess each
patient’s individual tumor-immune environment and the evolution thereof. As part of the Parent
Grant, we will use non-invasive imaging, image-guided biopsies, computational modeling, and
artificial intelligence to bridge spatial and temporal scales and predict the abundance of glioma
associated microglia/macrophages (GAMMs) comprising each magnetic resonance image
(MRI) at the voxel level. Linking the MRI to the biological heterogeneity using radiomics
approaches provides an opportunity to individualize our understanding of the tumor-immune
environment. Also in recent years, research has looked into how drug treatment is able to
activate GAMMs to take on immunoreactive phenotypes. For this proposed supplement we will
characterize myeloid – glioma cell interactions in response to immunogenic cell death induced
by the chemotherapy drug topotecan. This will be done using MRI localized biopsies as well as
in vitro co-culture systems, providing an additional therapeutically relevant context in which to
study cellular response and signaling. The study will make use of single cell RNA sequencing to
identify activational states of immune cells, and will provide us with another aspect of microglia
and macrophage biology that can be incorporated into the model generated in the Parent Grant.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10746512
- **Project number:** 3U01CA250481-03S2
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter Canoll
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $81,303
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10746512

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10746512, Diversity Supplement Ifediora: Image-based models of tumor-immune dynamics in glioblastoma (3U01CA250481-03S2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10746512. Licensed CC0.

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