Study of Blood Biomarkers for Brain Injury in Children With Primary Brain Tumors Comparing Treatment Effects and Healthy Controls

What this Trial Is About

This observational study focuses on children aged 0 to 17 years with primary brain tumors. Researchers aim to identify sensitive plasma biomarkers that indicate brain injury caused by different cancer treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. They will compare biomarker levels between children receiving radiation, those who do not receive radiation, and healthy children without brain tumors to understand treatment-specific effects better. Participants are divided into three groups those treated with surgery and radiation therapy, those treated with surgery and other cancer treatments but no radiation, and healthy controls. Blood plasma samples are collected at multiple time points including before surgery, shortly after surgery, and at intervals up to 36 months post-surgery. Children receiving radiation will also provide samples every two weeks during treatment, and samples may be collected before starting other treatments like chemotherapy. Healthy controls provide one plasma sample. Throughout the study, participants undergo blood sample collection to monitor biomarkers of brain injury over time, up to three years after treatment begins. Researchers will analyze these samples to track changes related to treatment effects. The study includes ongoing monitoring without intervention, and participation involves regular follow-ups and sample donations to support understanding of brain injury in pediatric brain tumor patients.

Biomarkers of Brain Injury in Children With Brain Tumors