Ultrasound-guided blood test to read glioblastoma genes
Sonobiopsy for Noninvasive Genetic Evaluation of Glioblastoma Patients
This project uses focused ultrasound plus a blood draw to release and detect tumor DNA in people with glioblastoma before surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11234318 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have a neuronavigation-guided focused ultrasound session aimed at your tumor just before surgery to temporarily open the blood–brain barrier and help tumor DNA enter the bloodstream. Participants are randomized to receive the real sonobiopsy procedure or a sham procedure, and blood samples are taken immediately afterward to look for circulating tumor DNA. The team will compare how often tumor DNA is detected in the sonobiopsy group versus the sham group and will track any side effects such as bleeding. This single-center, blinded, randomized trial enrolls forty presurgical glioblastoma patients and builds on prior safety and feasibility work in animal models.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with a suspected or confirmed glioblastoma who are scheduled for surgical resection and can travel to the study center are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients without glioblastoma, those not planning surgery, or those with contraindications to focused ultrasound (for example certain implants or bleeding risk) are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let doctors get genetic information about your glioblastoma from a simple blood draw instead of more invasive tissue procedures.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work in rodent and porcine models showed feasibility and safety, but human data are limited and this is among the first randomized trials in patients.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Leuthardt, Eric Claude — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Leuthardt, Eric Claude
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.