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Fragments of tumor cells can be detected in blood and spinal fluid / Society for Internal Medicine funds Freiburg project with 120,000 euros to apply diagnostics to brain tumor patients

In order to find the right therapy for a tumor disease, a tissue sample often has to be taken and analyzed. This is a major intervention, especially in the case of brain tumors. With a new procedure, the liquid biopsy, however, fragments of tumor cells are detected in the patient's blood or spinal fluid. Based on the findings of this liquid biopsy, the tumor can be examined in all its complexity, the therapy can be precisely tailored to the tumor and the effectiveness of the treatment can be monitored. PD Dr. Florian Scherer, research group leader at the Department of Medicine I at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, is investigating how the procedure can be refined for patients with brain tumors, especially patients with brain lymphomas. As part of the Advanced Clinician Scientist Program, Scherer will receive a grant and a research exemption of 120,000 euros from the Society of Internal Medicine for the next four years for his project.

"In preliminary studies, we have already shown that tumor fragments can be detected in the blood and spinal fluid of patients with brain tumors. In the project, we want to find out how these fragments need to be analyzed for diagnostics and therapy planning," says Scherer. "The values can be used to diagnose the tumour, characterize it genetically in detail and monitor the course of therapy."

Improving diagnosis and treatment planning for people with brain tumors

In the so-called liquid biopsy procedure, a blood sample or spinal fluid is taken from patients with cancer by means of a cerebrospinal fluid puncture and examined in the laboratory. Tumor cells release genetic information as DNA fragments into the blood or cerebrospinal fluid, which can be tested for genetic changes. The so-called circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) provides doctors with a wide range of information without the need for invasive tissue sampling. The method is therefore also suitable for cancers where a needle biopsy can be risky, such as brain tumors.

Building on the knowledge already gained, the Freiburg research group's current project aims to determine the optimal time for ctDNA analysis during chemotherapy treatment in patients with brain lymphomas. "By tracking the changes in the blood, we could better identify any risks in the course of the disease in patients with central nervous system lymphomas," says Scherer. "Then the physicians treating them can potentially take countermeasures at an early stage and adjust the therapy." The diagnostic benefits of ctDNA will also be investigated for patients with other types of brain tumors, such as gliomas.

Contact:

PD Dr. Florian Scherer
Research group leader
Department of Medicine I (Haematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation)
Uniklinik Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-34010
florian.scherer@uniklinik-freiburg.de