Liquid Trace® on Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)

A Liquid Biopsy Assay for Primary and Metastatic CNS Tumors

Liquid Trace® on Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is designed to provide comprehensive molecular insights for primary and metastatic CNS tumors. Using tumor-derived cfDNA and cfRNA from CSF, it helps support diagnosis, guide targeted therapy decisions, monitor disease, and expand clinical trial matching opportunities.

GTC’s Liquid Trace® on CSF is a comprehensive liquid biopsy specifically optimized for primary and metastatic central nervous system neoplasms.

It provides a higher yield than plasma for CNS-limited disease.

Overview

Key features

Sensitive detection of tumor-derived genomic material in CSF (higher yield than plasma for CNS-limited disease).
Broad analyte panel: single-nucleotide variants, indels, gene fusions, copy number changes (amplification/deletion), gene expression, HLA genotyping and chromosomal alterations.
Quantification capabilities: tumor mutational burden (TMB) and measurable residual disease (MRD) by mutant molecules per 1mL CSF.
Lymphoid clonality testing (T-cell and B-cell) to aid diagnosis of CNS lymphoma and leukemia
Viral detection of HPV, EBV, TTV, HTLV-1
Optional add-on testing: MGMT promoter methylation analysis for brain tumors when tumor DNA is detected.

Clinical indications and utility

Primary brain tumors: Detects alterations in high-grade gliomas (e.g., glioblastoma) and other primary CNS neoplasms; supports diagnosis and informs targeted therapy selection.
Leptomeningeal and parenchymal brain metastases: Identifies intracranial driver mutations (EGFR, ALK, etc.) that may guide CNS-penetrant targeted therapies.
CNS lymphoma/leukemia: Combines mutation detection (e.g., MYD88) with T- and B-cell clonality to improve diagnostic sensitivity.
Patients unable to undergo biopsy: CSF provides a minimally invasive alternative to obtain actionable genomic information.

Why CSF over plasma

CSF is enriched for tumor-derived nucleic acids in CNS-limited disease, often yielding higher sensitivity and a more accurate picture of intracranial tumor genetics than plasma. Testing CSF can reveal alterations absent from contemporaneous tissue biopsies because it samples a broader representation of intracranial tumor heterogeneity.

What the report includes

Full list of actionable somatic variants and copy number changes relevant to targeted therapy selection and clinical trials (examples: NTRK1/2/3 fusions; CDKN2A/B deletions; amplifications such as EGFR, MYC/MYCN).
Recommended interpretations for therapy and trial matching.
Quantitative metrics: TMB and MRD estimates when applicable.
Clonality analysis for lymphoid neoplasms and viral RNA detection where relevant.

Ordering, specimen requirements & practical notes

Specimen: CSF collected via lumbar puncture or Omaya reservoir. Ship per instructions provided with GTC kits.
Add-ons: Request MGMT methylation analysis or HLA genotyping as required; consider testing both tissue and CSF to maximize sensitivity. “Don’t accept partial results” - missing complementary data can impact clinical decisions.
Turnaround & support: Reports include interpreted results and treatment/trial-matching guidance. Clinical-laboratory consultation is available for result review.

How to learn more or request testing

Contact Genomic Testing Cooperative to request CSF collection kits, discuss test selection, or arrange a case consultation:
Toll-Free: 1-866-484-8870
Tel: 1-949-540-9421.
Full assay details and sample instructions are available from GTC’s laboratory team.

Order Kits

Fill out the form to request kits. Please refer to the Specimen Requirements page for more details.

*GTC will need to set you up in our system if this is your first order.