In reference to Brazilian National Glioblastoma Awareness Day, celebrated on July 16, the Institute for Technological Research (Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas, IPT) has released an institutional video showcasing the progress of a promising research project focused on the treatment of one of the most aggressive brain tumors: glioblastoma.
The new therapeutic approach under development by IPT integrates nanotechnology and gene therapy to restore the effectiveness of temozolomide — the primary drug currently used in treating the disease, alongside surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Despite its widespread use, glioblastoma often develops resistance to temozolomide, which limits the effectiveness of conventional treatment and contributes to tumor progression.
The project proposes silencing a gene responsible for this resistance through the targeted delivery of a therapeutic molecule using nanocarriers. The technology enables the material to reach tumor cells directly, blocking the resistance mechanism and enhancing the effects of the drug already used in clinical practice. Although still in the early stages, this approach represents a significant step forward in combating the disease.
Entitled “Precision Medicine Platform for Advanced Glioblastoma Therapies,” the project began in January 2025 and aims to showcase to the public the transformative potential of applied health research. At this stage, the initiative does not include clinical protocols or direct application in patients.
The research is funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (FINEP), and involves collaboration with leading institutions such as: the IPT Support Foundation (FIPT), the São Paulo State Cancer Institute (ICESP), the Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School (HC-FMUSP), the Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital, the University of São Paulo Medical School (FMUSP), the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Santa Casa de Misericórdia of São Paulo, the Brazilian Society of Neurosurgery (SBN), the Comprehensive Center for Precision Oncology (C2PO), the Amazon BioBusiness Center (CBA), the OMIKKA Laboratory, and Abluo Nanotechnology.
The study is led by Dr. Natalia Neto Pereira Cerize, Researcher and Director of Finance and Planning at IPT, and advisory board member of C2PO. The research brings together a multidisciplinary team of scientists from various institutions. At IPT, participants include Dr. Adriano Marin, Dr. André Martins, Dr. Helena Gomes, Dr. Juliana de Oliveira, Dr. Natalia Dalibera, Dr. Paula Turrini, MSc. Ariane Tunussi, and MSc. Silene Rodrigues. At CBA/IPT Amazônia, the team includes Dr. Caio Perecin and Dr. Diogo Castro. At ICESP, contributors are Prof. Dr. Carlos Carlotti Jr., Prof. Dr. Roger Chammas, Prof. Dr. Iuri Neville, Dr. Miyuki Uno, and MSc. Maria José Ferreira Alves. At HC-FMUSP, Prof. Dr. Osmar Moraes is involved. At UNIFESP, Prof. Dr. João Bosco Pesquero and Dr. Caio Perez. At Albert Einstein Hospital, Prof. Dr. Helder Nakaya and Dr. Stephan Lloyd Watkins. At Santa Casa, Dr. Vinícius Guirado.
