Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Search for Circulating Tumour Cells in the Blood and/or Cerebrospinal Fluid in Patients With Recurrent Aggressive Meningiomas: Proof-of-concept Study

This study is investigating a new way to understand aggressive meningiomas, a type of brain tumour that can sometimes come back. Researchers want to see if they can find tiny tumour cells, called circulating tumour cells (CTCs), in a patient's blood or in the fluid surrounding their brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF). Currently, these tumours are often diagnosed and monitored using scans and tissue samples from surgery. If these CTCs can be found, it could offer a less invasive way to diagnose the tumour, understand how it might progress, or see if it's coming back after treatment. This is a pilot study, meaning it's an initial step to see if this idea works.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital, Montpellier

Enrolment target

Start

01 Mar 2026

Estimated completion

01 Jul 2027

Meningioma

What is this study about?

Meningiomas are the most common type of tumour that grows in the layers of tissue covering your brain and spinal cord. Most of these tumours are not cancerous (they are benign) and grow very slowly. They can usually be managed by doctors simply watching them with scans, or by removing them with surgery, and most people do very well.

However, about one in five meningiomas are more aggressive. This means they can grow faster or are more likely to come back after treatment. These aggressive meningiomas can cause significant health problems and are more challenging for doctors to treat and predict their behaviour. Currently, doctors mainly rely on brain scans like MRI and samples taken during surgery to understand these tumours and decide on the best treatment plan.

This study is exploring a new idea. Doctors are wondering if they can find tiny tumour cells, called 'circulating tumour cells' (CTCs), in your blood or in the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord (this fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid or CSF). Finding these cells could offer a simpler way to understand your tumour, potentially avoiding some more invasive procedures. While meningiomas grow within the head, they develop in a way that suggests these cells might escape into the body's fluids. If this study is successful, it could open doors for new ways to diagnose, monitor, and choose treatments for aggressive meningiomas in the future.

Key takeaways

This study looks for tiny tumour cells in blood and spinal fluid.
It's for people with aggressive meningiomas that have come back.
It aims to find less invasive ways to diagnose and monitor these tumours.
Participation involves giving blood samples and potentially spinal fluid samples.
The results could help improve care for future patients.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be over 18 years old. You must have had surgery for a specific type of aggressive meningioma (classified as Grade 2 or 3) at Montpellier University Hospital between 2015 and 2024. Also, checks of your original tumour sample must have shown a particular marker called SSTR2A.

Critically, you must also be experiencing a recurrence of your meningioma. This means that recent brain scans (MRI) show that a tumour you previously had is growing again, or a new meningioma-like growth has appeared in the same area or elsewhere.

There are also some reasons why you wouldn't be able to join. For example, if you have another active cancer, or if you have certain health conditions that would make a procedure called a lumbar puncture (where a sample of spinal fluid is taken) unsafe for you. This includes conditions that increase pressure in your brain, problems with blood clotting, or an infection. You also can't take part if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are already participating in another clinical study that would conflict with this one.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am over 18 years old.
I had surgery for a Grade 2 or 3 meningioma at Montpellier University Hospital between 2015 and 2024.
My meningioma has come back or grown according to recent scans.
I do not have another active cancer.
I haven't been told I have any conditions that would make a spinal fluid test (lumbar puncture) unsafe for me.
I am not pregnant or breastfeeding.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, it's called a 'proof-of-concept' study, which means researchers are testing a new idea. You won't be given any new medication as part of this study. The main procedures will involve providing a blood sample and potentially having a lumbar puncture. A lumbar puncture is a procedure where a small amount of fluid from around your spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid) is carefully collected using a thin needle. This fluid is then checked for tumour cells. The study aims to look for these cells and understand if this method is possible. The total duration of your involvement would depend on the schedule for these sample collections.

Potential risks and benefits

This study is an early investigation, so there isn't a direct benefit to you personally. However, the information gathered could significantly help future patients by leading to less invasive ways of diagnosing and monitoring aggressive meningiomas. Potential risks are generally associated with the procedures involved, mainly the lumbar puncture, which carries a small risk of headache, discomfort at the injection site, or rarely, more serious complications like infection or bleeding. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

CHU de Montpellier
Verified postcode
Montpellier, France

Common questions

What is a meningioma?

A meningioma is a common type of tumour that grows in the linings around your brain and spinal cord. Most are not cancerous and grow slowly.

What does 'aggressive' meningioma mean?

It means the tumour might grow faster or is more likely to come back after treatment, making it harder to manage.

What are 'circulating tumour cells' (CTCs)?

These are tiny cancer cells that have broken away from a tumour and are travelling in your blood or other body fluids.

What is a lumbar puncture?

It's a medical procedure where a small amount of fluid from around your spinal cord is collected using a thin needle, usually to check for certain conditions.

Will taking part change my current treatment?

No, this study is to gather information and won't involve new treatments or change your existing medical care.

How to find out more

Julien BOETTO, Dr

j-boetto@chu-montpellier.fr 0467337488 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.