Satoru Osuka, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, has been awarded a $50,000 seed grant from the Uncle Kory Foundation to support his research on recurrent glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and deadly forms of brain cancer.

Osuka’s research, titled “Targeting Recurrent Glioblastoma Cells Using Collagen-Binding IL-12 and IL-7,” aims to develop a new treatment option for patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

His research team has created two specialized immune-boosting proteins—CBD-IL-12 and CBD-IL-7—engineered to accumulate within tumors while avoiding healthy brain tissue. This targeted approach has the potential to reduce side effects while enhancing the body’s immune response to the cancer.

Because of their unique environment, glioblastoma tumors are notoriously difficult to treat, particularly once they recur. By using CBD-IL-12 and CBD-IL-7, Osuka’s goal is to stimulate the immune system to fight tumor cells more effectively by preventing immune cells from becoming "exhausted" in their response to the tumor.

Glioblastoma remains one of the most challenging brain cancers to treat, with a median survival of only 12 to 15 months after diagnosis, despite standard-of-care treatments, like surgical tumor resection, chemotherapy and radiation.

Osuka and his team will first test the approach in mouse models to evaluate whether the therapy can shrink tumors and extend survival. If successful, this research could pave the way for a new and more effective treatment option for glioblastoma patients.