Current management of primary and metastatic brain tumors represents a unique challenge with multiple resistance mechanisms that must be overcome. These include limited penetration to the tumor site, the specificity of treatment to cancerous tissue, and resistance to drug treatment by heterogeneous tumor and tumor stem cells. Overcoming these challenges requires a diverse research methodology. In this methods collection, my goal is to provide contributions covering a broad range of brain tumor research methodologies, including the development and selection of glioma cell lines, development of glioma patient-derived xenografts, tumor microenvironment metabolomic analysis, single-cell RNA analysis from primary and metastatic brain tumors including leptomeningeal metastasis, novel techniques for assessment of therapeutic effect, and use of radiation therapy as part of brain tumor research.

Potential contributions from my laboratory work would include photon and proton radiation therapy in cell line and mouse models with concurrent use of potentially radiosensitizing pharmaceutical agents. Potential contributions from colleagues at my institution would include techniques for metabolomic analysis from CSF samples, the use of mouse models in CAR T cell therapy development, and plasma assay development to help distinguish radiation necrosis from tumor progression. Potential contributions from colleagues at other institutions would cover single-cell RNA and cell-free DNA analysis from leptomeningeal metastasis, techniques for studying tumor microenvironment in the context of brain metastasis and leptomeningeal disease, as well as the development of an assay to guide chemotherapeutic selection at the patient level. I expect this to be an informative collection reflective of current and future brain tumor research.