Using 5-ALA Guided Surgery to Study Liquid Biopsy Markers in Adults with Glioblastoma and Other Brain Tumors

What this Trial Is About

Glioblastoma GBM is the most common and deadly primary brain tumor. Researchers are studying how blood biomarkers related to the tumor can help with diagnosis, monitoring after treatment, and predicting outcomes. The study focuses on using 5-ALA 5-Aminolevulinic Acid which causes fluorescent Protoporphyrin IX PpIX to build up in GBM cells, making them visible during surgery. This observational study aims to use this fluorescence to improve plasma liquid biopsy methods for brain tumor patients. Patients with suspected brain tumors who need 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery will be enrolled. Blood plasma, serum, and urine samples will be collected twice before 5-ALA is given and 12 hours after, when PpIX is expected to peak. Samples will be carefully handled in low light and stored frozen. Fluorescence levels will be measured using special equipment. Each patient will also have a pre-operative MRI to measure tumor size, which will be compared to fluorescence data. Participants will provide biological samples at two key times around surgery and have routine MRI scans. Researchers will analyze PpIX fluorescence levels and how they relate to tumor tissue and MRI findings over two years. The study will monitor fluorescence patterns and compare results between glioblastoma patients and those with other brain tumors. This helps understand how well fluorescence-guided liquid biopsy can aid in clinical care of brain tumor patients.

Clinical Significance of Liquid Biopsy in Brain Tumor Patients: a 5-ALA Guided Approach