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A Guide to Biomarker Testing, Clinical Trials, and Informed Decisions with MyTumorID®
Receiving a brain tumor diagnosis can feel overwhelming. Whether you are a patient or care partner, one of the first questions is: What do we do next?
The good news: advances in biomarker testing — including molecular profiling — and clinical trials for brain tumors are transforming how patients receive care, making it possible to match treatments more precisely to each tumor’s unique biology.
National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS) created MyTumorID®, a national public health campaign that empowers patients with the knowledge needed to make informed treatment decisions based on the unique biology of their tumor.
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MyTumorID is a national awareness campaign focused on educating patients and care partners about three interconnected pillars of modern brain tumor care:
Biomarker testing (molecular profiling)
Clinical trials for brain tumors
Informed decision-making
Every brain tumor is biologically unique. Modern brain tumor classification now relies on genetic and molecular markers, not just what a tumor looks like under a microscope.
Understanding your tumor’s molecular makeup can help ensure:
An accurate diagnosis
Personalized treatment options
Access to relevant clinical trials
Better-informed care conversations
To explore the full scope of diagnosis and treatment options available today, visit our Treatment Options resource hub.
ID My Tumor: What Is Biomarker Testing for Brain Tumors?
Biomarker testing, also called molecular profiling or tumor testing, examines tumor tissue or fluid for specific genes, proteins, or molecular changes. These biological markers provide critical information about:
Tumor type
Tumor behavior
Growth rate
Likely treatment response
Prognosis
Why Is Biomarker Testing Important?
Greater Diagnostic Accuracy In Diagnosis
Some tumors look similar under a microscope but have very different molecular and genetic features. Biomarker testing can confirm and distinguish between rare tumor subtypes, ensuring you receive the most appropriate initial care.
Targeted Treatment Options
Identifying a specific gene alteration, such as an IDH mutation or a BRAF fusion, may make you eligible for FDA-approved targeted drugs designed to attack those exact vulnerabilities.
Avoiding Ineffective Treatment Therapies
Some biomarkers can predict if a tumor is unlikely to respond to chemotherapy or immunotherapy. This knowledge can spare you from treatments that may cause side effects without providing benefits.
Performing biomarker testing at diagnosis is considered a critical step in modern brain tumor care.
Watch this video to learn more:
ID My Treatment Options: How Do Biomarkers Connect to Clinical Trials?
What are clinical trials for brain tumors?
Clinical trials offer patients early access to novel treatments, advance scientific knowledge, and are essential for developing better therapies for brain tumors. Knowing your tumor’s biomarkers is often the key that unlocks the door to clinical trials.
Why does biomarker testing matter for trial eligibility?
Many brain tumor clinical trials require specific biomarkers for enrollment. For example:
Some trials are only open to tumors with a specific mutation.
Others require molecular confirmation of a brain tumor subtype.
Without biomarker testing, patients may not know they qualify.
Are clinical trials always a last resort?
No, in many cases, clinical trials are not a last resort. There are multiple time points of eligibility to enroll in a clinical trial, including after surgery and before starting treatment. It is essential to perform biomarker testing at diagnosis to be eligible for these various time points.
Early biomarker testing expands clinical trial options and eligibility across various time points. NBTS’s ongoing research initiatives are helping drive the science that makes these trials possible.
I Decide: How Can I Make Informed Decisions After a Brain Tumor Diagnosis?
Understanding your tumor’s biomarkers and knowing your treatment options — including whether clinical trials may be right for you — allows you to take a more active role in your care.
Staying informed helps ensure your decisions reflect both the latest medical advances and what matters most to you and those you love. Key considerations to informed decision making include:
Asking about biomarker testing at diagnosis and what it means for your unique tumor subtype
Understanding all available treatment options
Evaluating potential clinical trial opportunities
When you know your tumor’s biomarkers, you are better equipped to weigh risks and benefits, explore precision medicine options, discuss second opinions, and advocate for the care that’s right for you. Find key questions to consider and discuss with your care team on the Informed Decisions page. And for practical tools and support resources, explore the Patient & Caregiver Toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Biomarker Testing, Clinical Trials, and Brain Tumors
When should biomarker testing be done?
Ideally, biomarker testing should be done upon diagnosis when tumor tissue is available from a biopsy or surgery. In some cases, cerebrospinal fluid from a lumbar puncture, known as a liquid biopsy, can be sent for biomarker testing.
Is biomarker testing standard for all brain tumors?
Yes, but insurance coverage varies. Patients should speak with their care team and insurance provider to understand their insurance coverage. Many testing laboratories and organizations offer patient assistance programs that may cover out-of-pocket costs.
How do I find clinical trials for my tumor type?
Start by asking your care team if you qualify for a clinical trial where you are being treated. You can search on your own using reputable databases like the National Brain Tumor Society’s Clinical Trial Finder or ClinicalTrials.gov. Use your search results to start a conversation with your care team about clinical trials.
What is the difference between biomarker testing and genetic testing?
Biomarker testing analyzes the tumor tissue itself, looking at its acquired genetic mutations, proteins, and molecular features that may drive tumor growth and guide treatment. This is different from genetic testing, which looks at the genes you were born with (inherited genes) to see if there may be a higher risk for certain diseases. . While most brain tumors are not hereditary, genetic testing can sometimes reveal variants that influence treatment or indicate risks for family members.
Can biomarker testing help determine if I’m eligible for targeted therapy?
Yes. Biomarker testing may reveal targetable mutations with FDA-approved therapies for brain tumors that may be an option for you.
Your Brain Tumor Awareness Month gift has an immediate impact, supporting patients, driving advocacy, and funding groundbreaking research. Right now, thanks to a challenge from the Robert Lloyd Corkin Charitable Foundation, your gift is worth even more — help us raise $200,000 during the last six days of May to unlock an additional $30,000.
