We are doing this study to collect blood and cerebrospinal fluid samples from patients who have breast cancer that has spread to the brain and/or spinal cord. We hope that by analyzing these samples, we can find out how effective different cancer medications are at treating metastases to the leptomeninges (tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord). We also want to do genetic testing on these samples to look for cancer mutations that can give us clues about how people might respond to different therapies or which therapies are most likely to be helpful.

Metastatic Breast Cancer and Leptomeningeal Metastases

Adults ages 18+ who:

• Are diagnosed with breast cancer
• Have metastases (spread) to the leptomeninges (tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord)
• Are undergoing or planning treatment with a systemic therapy (includes chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immune therapy) or intrathecal therapy (administration of drugs via an injection into the spinal canal) for their disease

For more information, contact the study team at 919-684-5301.

If you choose to join this study, you will donate blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples that can be used for research. We will collect the blood and CSF samples from you during your regular visits to Duke when you will have a routine blood draw or lumbar puncture as part of your normal treatment.