Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative Awards $1 Million to Advance Liquid Biopsy Research in Primary Brain Tumors

CHICAGO, Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative (BTFC) today announced $1 million in grant funding to support two multi-institutional research teams focused on developing liquid biopsy technologies for the diagnosis and monitoring of primary brain tumors. Each research team will receive $500,000 to support these 2-year projects.

Liquid biopsy represents a promising breakthrough in brain tumor care. Unlike traditional biopsies that require surgical procedures to extract tumor tissue, liquid biopsy analyzes tumor-derived material circulating in blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or other bodily fluids. These innovative approaches could enable earlier detection, real-time tracking of tumor evolution, and more precise assessment of treatment response. Ultimately, it offers a safer, less invasive, and more personalized strategy for managing brain tumors.

The BTFC is proud to support the following projects:

• Project Title: Global Alliance to Establish a CSF-based Liquid Biopsy Platform for Brain Tumors
  Project Leader: Ching Lau, MD, PhD
  Lead Institution: Connecticut Children's Medical Center

• Project Title: Maximizing Detection of Childhood Brain Tumors in Biofluids
  Project Leader: Paul Northcott, PhD
  Lead Institution: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

About the Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative

The Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative is a partnership of philanthropic and advocacy organizations, including the American Brain Tumor Association, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, National Brain Tumor Society, and Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. These organizations are dedicated to funding innovative brain tumor research and improving the lives of those affected by the disease.

Since 2005, the BTFC has awarded more than $12 million in research grants to advance the field and provide hope for those diagnosed with a primary brain tumor. Additional organizations supporting the latest liquid biopsy initiative include:

• An Anonymous Family Foundation
  
  
• Dragon Master Initiative
  
  
• The Glioblastoma Research Organization
  
  
• The Sontag Foundation
  
  
• Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation
  
  
• StacheStrong

For more information, please visit www.braintumorfunders.org.

SOURCE American Brain Tumor Association