Spinal fluid clues could help detect breast cancer spread to the brain

NCT ID NCT03252912

First seen Mar 20, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 17 times

Summary

This study looked at spinal fluid from 51 breast cancer patients whose cancer may have spread to the lining of the brain and spinal cord (leptomeningeal metastases). Researchers compared a new blood test technique (CellSearch) with standard spinal fluid analysis to see which better detects cancer cells. The goal is to find better ways to diagnose this serious complication early.

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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Institut régional du Cancer de Montpellier

    Montpellier, 34298, France

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to

If successful, this research could lead to better diagnostic tools for detecting breast cancer spread to the brain and spinal cord lining.

What could go wrong

This is an early exploratory study with only 51 participants, so findings may not apply to all patients. The biomarkers tested may not prove reliable enough for routine use.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

breast cancer breast neoplasm

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.