Abstract
Parenchymal brain metastases of solid malignancies remain a significant clinical challenge, as they are often detected at later symptomatic stages, which are typically associated with worse prognosis. Delayed detection limits treatment options and contributes to poor outcomes, while early detection is critical for improving patient outcomes and quality of life. In this comprehensive review, we investigated the potential use and challenges of blood-based biomarkers, including circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA, noncoding RNAs, extracellular vesicles, proteins, and other immune-related biomarkers, for the early detection of parenchymal brain metastasis. The use of blood-based liquid biopsies offers a promising avenue for early detection and monitoring of brain metastases, potentially enabling timely intervention and tailored treatment regimes. Continued research and rigorous clinical validation are essential to fully harness the potential of blood-based biomarkers, which could transform clinical practice in oncology.
Keywords
biomarkers, diagnosis, intracranial metastasis, liquid biopsy, parenchymal brain metastasis
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Article Number
vdag142
Volume
8
Issue
1
Publication Title
Neuro-Oncology Advances
Publisher
Oxford Academic
School
Centre for Precision Health / School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funding Information
D.S. is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend Scholarship and a Melanoma Institute Australia Postgraduate Research Top-up Scholarship. The study is supported by a Medical Research Future Fund grant (2009057) awarded to H.R.
Funding received from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
2009057
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
Sexauer, D., Gray, E. S., Rizos, H., Zaenker, P., & Beasley, A. B. (2026). Emerging blood-based biomarkers for the detection of parenchymal brain metastasis: Current progress and future perspectives. Neuro-Oncology Advances, 8(1), vdag142. https://doi.org/10.1093/noajnl/vdag142