Liquid biopsy testing for people having brain surgery for suspected low‑grade glioma

LIQUID BIOPSY IN Low-grade Glioma Patients

Not applicable Interventional University Hospital, Montpellier · NCT05133154

We will test whether blood or spinal fluid liquid biopsies can find tumor cells or tumor-related markers in adults having brain surgery for suspected low‑grade or high‑grade glioma, compared with people having non‑tumor brain surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital, Montpellier Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, radiation
Locations1 site (Montpellier)
Trial IDNCT05133154 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective, exploratory, bi‑centric study enrolling adults undergoing neurosurgery for suspected low‑grade glioma, high‑grade glioma, or non‑tumor brain conditions. Blood (and when available CSF) samples are collected before surgery, two days after surgery, and three months after surgery to look for circulating tumor cells, tumor‑educated platelets, and other circulating biomarkers. The primary goal is to determine whether circulating tumor cells can be detected preoperatively in the three groups and how detection changes after surgery. Samples will be analyzed using established and experimental assays to compare biomarker presence between tumor grades and controls.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18) scheduled for brain surgery for a suspected low‑grade or high‑grade glioma, or adults undergoing neurosurgery for a non‑tumor condition, who can give informed consent, speak French, and are affiliated with the French social security system.

Not a fit: People who are not having neurosurgery, minors, those unable to consent or speak French, or patients outside the French social security system are not likely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could provide a less invasive way to detect and monitor glioma biology before and after surgery, helping guide care and earlier detection of malignant change.

How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown promising but limited results: CSF often yields detectable tumor DNA more reliably than blood, while circulating tumor cell and tumor‑educated platelet methods remain experimental and are not yet established for low‑grade glioma.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patient aged ≥ 18, no age limit
* A signed informed consent obtained before any study specific procedures
* Patient affiliated to a French social security system
* Patient ability to understand experimental procedures
* Patient able to speak, read and understand French

Also for the "Low-grade glioma" group, the following inclusion criteria applies:

\- Brain surgery for a suspected low-grade tumor, histologically confirmed on tumor sample

Also for the "High-grade glioma" group, the following inclusion criteria applies:

\- Brain surgery for a suspected high-grade glioma, histologically confirmed on tumor sample

Also for the "Control group, the following inclusion criteria applies:

\- Brain surgery for a non-tumor disease (cavernoma, arteriovenous malformation)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Legal incapacity or physical, psychological social or geographical status interfering with the patient's ability to sign the informed consent or to terminate the study
* Pregnant and/or breastfeeding women (this will be checked in declarative way)
* Patients with medical history of cancer other than the brain tumor, whatever the treatment received

Also, for the "Low-grade glioma" group, the following exclusion criteria applies:

* Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy for the low-grade glioma (but previous surgery/ies is/are allowed)
* No indication for chemotherapy for 6 month after surgery

Also, for the "High-grade glioma" group, the following exclusion criteria applies:

\- Previous chemotherapy or radiation therapy for the glioma

Also, for the "control" group, the following exclusion criteria applies:

\- Diagnosis or suspicion of primary or secondary brain tumor

Where this trial is running

Montpellier

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions GliomaLow-grade gliomaHigh-grade gliomaCirculating tumor cellsCirculating biomarkerTumor-educated platelets
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.