Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for Brain Tumors

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples that can provide a resource to the research community for biomarker discovery in patients with gliomas.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

I. Evaluate the feasibility of serial CSF sampling from patients with brain tumors for longitudinal evaluation of tumor biomarkers.

OUTLINE:

Patients undergo collection of CSF samples via lumbar puncture at least 2 times. Patients may undergo additional collection of additional CSF samples if they choose.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up periodically.

Inclusion criteria

• Any evidence of neoplasm involving the central nervous system (CNS) or its adjacent structures in contact with CSF. Such lesions may include but are not limited to intra-axial or extra-axial lesions, which could be benign, malignant or as yet undefined, involving the brain, spine, meninges, nerves, or vasculature or supporting structures
• Subjects must be 18 years of age or older

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who are under 18 years of age or are a member of a vulnerable population will be excluded from this study
• Pregnant women or women who may be pregnant are specifically excluded from study participation
• Exception will be granted for patients with diminished capacity to consent if a legally authorized representative is available
• Patients without clinical or radiographic evidence of a potentially neoplastic CNS lesion will be excluded
• Patients with an inability or unwillingness of individual or legal guardian/representative to give written informed consent will be excluded
• Any patient for whom a clinical contraindication exists to the intended route of CSF access will be excluded. For example, a patient with a large posterior fossa mass lesion at risk of herniation, or a patient with coagulopathy, or other contraindication to lumbar puncture would not be eligible to participate via use of lumbar puncture for CSF access