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Testing spinal fluid and blood samples to look for tumor DNA in people with brain tumors or cancer that has spread

Original title: Exploring the Feasibility of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) and Blood Plasma Liquid Biopsy in Patients With Metastatic Solid Tumours and Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumours: A Pilot Study

How far along is this research?

This is a trial that is enrolling or has been updated. It is not a finding yet.

No phase is listed for this study, and it is an early look at whether the testing can be done.

Status: Recruiting. It is looking for patients now. Talk to your care team about whether it fits you.

The trial team last updated this record on . Always check the trial page for the latest.

The short version

This study is checking whether tumor DNA can be found in spinal fluid and blood.

Who this trial is for. This study is for people with a primary central nervous system tumor or a solid tumor that has spread. It is testing whether a liquid biopsy, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid and blood plasma, can be used to look for tumor DNA. People are grouped by whether the cancer involves the lining around the brain and spinal cord, involves the brain tissue itself, or has not spread to the central nervous system.

Where it stands. This is a feasibility study, so it is asking whether this kind of testing can be done at all. It is being run at one center, the Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada. The study has not reported results. The answer is not in yet.

What this means, and what it doesn't

What it could mean: For now this changes nothing about treatment. It is a study of a test, not of a therapy. If you think you might fit, you can ask your care team whether it is worth looking into.

What it doesn't mean: This does not mean the test works or is ready for regular care. A trial is a test, not a proven treatment. Joining one is not a guarantee that it will help you. It is not a promise of a cure. Whether anyone can take part is decided by the trial team.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, July 31, 2026 · Read the original

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