CSF-Match: Study looking for better treatments for leptomeningeal disease (LMD) using spinal fluid

We are in the process of submitting a request to Cancer Research UK for funding for a study looking at leptomeningeal disease (LMD). 

The aim will be to collect spinal fluid to look for DNA (or genetic code) from the cancer cells around the brain envelope to sequence, akin to decoding, to enable selection of a tailored treatment based on the genetic code in the spinal fluid. This type of matching treatment to the genetic code of the cancer has been done before in secondary breast cancer (using cancer DNA in blood tests) but not for disease that has spread to the brain.

At the Summit, we were grateful for your feedback and support. Your views will be made known to the committee who will review the application. This underlines the importance of talking and discussing research at an early stage with patients.

As a study team we are very keen to remain engaged and connected with the secondary breast cancer community around this study, and to keep you updated on the progress. Applying for research funding is a long journey, and we would like to keep you informed of our funding journey.

The next steps will be that we will shortly submit are outline application, this provides an overview of the study, and it will then be reviewed by a committee of other doctors and scientists, and they will decide if we a submit a longer and slightly more detailed application for funding.

To register for the mailing list to be kept informed on study progress please email:

Please mark the email message: CSF-MATCH MAILING LIST

Please feel free to share this email with other women or men living with secondary breast cancer, as well as in any patient forums. We are keen to make as much of the community aware of this research as possible.

With very best wishes and thanks.

Carlo

 

Prof Carlo Palmieri

On behalf Dr Alicia Okines and Dr Amanda Fitzpatrick (CSF-Match Chief Investigators)