Liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive diagnostic approach that analyzes biological fluids, such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), to detect cancer-related biomarkers. In the context of brain cancers, such as glioblastomas or metastatic lesions from other cancers such as breast or lung, liquid biopsy offers a promising alternative to traditional tissue biopsies. This method leverages the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), RNA, proteins, and extracellular vesicles shed by tumors into bodily fluids, providing insights into the tumor's genetic and molecular landscape.

CSF is particularly unique for precision diagnostics and monitoring of brain cancers for several reasons. CSF is in direct contact with the central nervous system (CNS), increasing the likelihood of detecting tumor-derived biomarkers, especially for cancer in the brain or lesions that have invaded the spine. It allows for the analysis of multiple biomolecules, including ctDNA, RNA, and proteins, which can provide a comprehensive molecular profile of the tumor. CSF can be sampled repeatedly over time, enabling real-time monitoring of tumor evolution, treatment response, and recurrence.

If you have glioblastoma or a metastatic lesion to the brain or CNS and would like testing, please contact us. Due to the risks associated with lumbar puncture (LP), particularly in patients with more advanced disease of the brain, not all patients will qualify for use of CSF from LP, in which case blood would be used.