# A Bioprinted Volumetric Model of Vascularized Glioblastoma

> **NIH NIH R01** · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · 2024 · $405,493

## Abstract

Abstract
The dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME) where cells continuously communicate, migrate, and react to
each other and the signals that are secreted, is critical for inducing tumor progression and aggressiveness of
most forms of cancer. We have special interest in glioblastoma (GBM) that displays a dynamic and complex
TME for which we have developed the necessary tools to dissect it, understand it, and have a positive impact
on its treatment. As such, it is necessary to understand the underlying biology in a dynamic and relevant
environment. With various degrees of limitation pertaining to currently available in vitro and in vivo models, in
this proposal, we aim to leverage our expertise to optimize a unique three-dimensional (3D) human mini-GBM
model through the utilization of a light-based bioprinting technology and taking advantage of primary neuronal,
vascular, and GBM cells, to more precisely replicate the brain TME in human patients. It is anticipated that,
construction of an in vitro 3D human mini-GBM model mimicking not only the cellular compositions but also the
extracellular matrix (ECM) properties and importantly, tissue architecture of its in vivo counterpart, will allow us
to precisely assess proliferation, migration, and transformation of GBM cells, similar to those already proven in
ex vivo GBM organotypic cultures but at much higher availability and throughput for potential drug screening in
the future.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10929523
- **Project number:** 5R01CA282451-02
- **Recipient organization:** BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** ALFREDO QUINONES-HINOJOSA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $405,493
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-14 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10929523

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10929523, A Bioprinted Volumetric Model of Vascularized Glioblastoma (5R01CA282451-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10929523. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*