OMRF Glioblastoma Project

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive type of malignant brain tumor in humans. At this time, there are no effective treatments available for this type of tumor. Standard treatments are painful, toxic, and highly invasive. Within the United States there are over 15,000 patients per year that die from glioblastoma multiforme, the most malignant form of gliomas. The National Cancer Institute reported globally over 176,000 individuals developed brain tumors in 2000 with an estimated mortality of 128,000. Despite multimodality treatment, survival is approximately 14 months. OMRF researchers have identified a compound, OKN-007, that has the unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and has been successfully shown to decrease both tumor size and tumor vasculature in animal models of glioblastoma. Based on OKN-007’s significant effect in reducing or eliminating glioblastoma in animal models and clinical trial safety data, OMRF intends to clinically evaluate the drug for its therapeutic effect against glioblastoma in humans.