Label-free, non-invasive method for predicting glioblastoma Grade IV progression and aggressiveness

Value Proposition:

• Label-free MRI method that requires no regulatory approval or additional drug development
• Can significantly decrease the time between initial diagnosis and follow-up treatment, as tumor aggressiveness could be predicted during the initial diagnostic MRI, improving patient survival rates and post-treatment evaluation
• Non-invasive diagnostic method representing the entire tumor, compared to current histologic grading which requires small tissue sample that may be misrepresenting
• Simple to implement during routine brain MRIs already being done in glioblastoma patients

Technology Description

• Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a non-invasive label-free method of classifying the aggressiveness of grade IV glioblastoma brain tumors. More aggressive brain tumors contain higher numbers of cancer stem cells, which have abundant mannose residues. By using a specialized MRI technique called mannose-weighted CEST MRI, they can detect cancer stem cells and therefore determine tumor aggressiveness. The available data in mouse glioblastoma models demonstrates the effectiveness of the technique for distinguishing glioblastomas with differing degrees of aggression. 

Unmet Need

• Grading glioblastoma is an invasive process that requires a tissue sample and histological evaluation by a pathologist. The delay in follow-up imaging after initial diagnosis can be problematic for aggressive Grade IV tumors, which call for immediate treatment. Therefore, there is a strong need for a fast non-invasive brain tumor evaluation method that address the need to quickly diagnose patients with aggressive glioblastomas. 

Stage of Development

• This technology has been proven effective in pre-clinical mouse tumor models.

Data Availability

• Data available upon request.

Publication

Behnaz Ghaemi, Hernando Lopez-Bertoni, Shreyas Kuddannaya, Sophie Sall, John Laterra, Guanshu Liu, Jeff W.M. Bulte. "Detection of Aggressive Mesenchymal Glioblastoma by Mannose-Weighted CEST MRI." bioRxiv 2025.04.15.648948; doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.04.15.648948

Behnaz Ghaemi et al., High mannose content of mesenchymal glioblastoma correlates with hydroxyl proton transfer–weighted (HPTw) MRI as noninvasive biomarker of tumor aggressiveness. Sci. Adv. 12, eadz5324 (2026). DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adz5324