Grant received in 2026

DCCC has funded 200.000 DKK to the project.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive primary brain tumour in adults, with a median survival of only 12 months. Despite decades of research, prognosis has remained largely unchanged, and the disease continues to be characterised by profound treatment resistance.

Resent research suggests that interactions between healthy neural cells and tumour cells play a key role in tumour progression and treatment resistance. Preclinical studies in murine models have demonstrated that the drugs senicapoc and perampanel may inhibit these mechanisms. Building on these findings, the ongoing phase 0/1 trial (SENIPERA-1) is currently evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics, and optimal dosing of both agents in patients with newly diagnosed GBM.

Based on the clinical data generated in SENIPERA-1, SENIPERA-2 is planned as the next logical step in the clinical development of a new treatment strategy. The study is designed as a national, multicentre, double-blind, randomised phase 2 trial and aims to investigate whether adding senicapoc and perampanel to standard care improves progression-free survival in patients with newly diagnosed GBM compared with placebo.

Funding from DCCC will support the preparatory work required to ensure a smooth transition from SENIPERA-1 to SENIPERA-2. Specifically, the funding will support the development develop of the study protocol and preparation of regulatory submissions to the Danish Medicines Agency and the Scientific Ethics Committees.

The expected scientific impact includes new insights into treatment efficacy, disease biology, and predictive biomarkers that may help inform future treatment strategies for patients with GBM.

Interdisciplinary network

SENIPERA-2 is anchored within Danish Neuro-Oncology Group and DCCC Brain Tumor Center.

Project stakeholders

  • Ulf Simonsen, Professor, Department of Biomedicin, Aarhus University
  • Jane Skjøth-Rasmussen, Consultant, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet
  • Ulrik Lassen, Professor, Consultant, PhD, DMSc, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet
  • Kåre Ettrup Schmidt, Consultant, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Aalborg University Hospital
  • Slavka Lukacova, Consultant, PhD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Oncology, Aarhus University Hospital
  • Anders Rosendal Korshøj, Consultant, PhD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital
  • Frantz Rom-Poulsen, Professor, Consultant, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, Odense University Hospital
  • Kasper Thorsen, Division Manager, Department of Molecular Medicine (MOMA), Aarhus University Hospital
  • Joachim Weischenfeldt, Professor, Biotech Research & Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen
  • Frank Winkler, Professor, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, 2025 The Brain Prize Nominee, Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg, Germany