Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Mayo Clinic Jacksonville received a $687,314 Project Grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under the Cancer Treatment Research program (CFDA 93.395), awarded July 15, 2026, with completion targeted for June 30, 2031. The research focuses on understanding and overcoming drug resistance mechanisms in glioblastoma through preclinical investigation of mitotic kinase and kinesin inhibitors combined with targeted therapeutics. The project will deliver research products including in vitro studies and preclinical immunocompetent and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models examining how glioblastomas develop resistance to cell cycle inhibitors such as alisertib and etoposide, with emphasis on signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)-driven apoptosis suppression pathways.

The grant will produce foundational research evaluating combined therapeutic approaches integrating anti-mitotic agents with STAT3 inhibitors or anti-apoptotic effector inhibitors, with particular attention to local drug delivery strategies designed to minimize systemic toxicity while maintaining efficacy in validated glioblastoma models. Deliverables will include characterization of therapy-induced senescent cells, assessment of tumor microenvironment effects, and comparative efficacy and tolerability data from preclinical models that inform clinical translation of combination therapies for glioblastoma treatment.