CNSide assay shows promise for monitoring leptomeningeal metastases

Published 14/08/2025, 12:38
CNSide assay shows promise for monitoring leptomeningeal metastases

HOUSTON - Plus Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:PSTV), a small-cap biotech company with a market capitalization of $34.75 million, announced Thursday positive results from a retrospective analysis of its CNSide Cerebrospinal Fluid Assay Platform presented at the 2025 Society for Neuro-Oncology/American Society of Clinical Oncology CNS Metastases Conference in Baltimore. According to InvestingPro data, the company maintains a positive cash position with more debt than cash on its balance sheet, though it’s currently experiencing rapid cash burn.

The multi-center analysis examined 613 CNSide assays ordered for 218 patients across five institutions. The study found cerebrospinal fluid tumor cells were detected in 67% of patients using the CNSide platform. Among patients who underwent multiple CSF draws, 20% showed changes in immunocytochemistry detection and 88% demonstrated changes in FISH probe detection. While the clinical results appear promising, InvestingPro analysis indicates analysts anticipate a sales decline in the current year, with revenue growth forecast at -27%.

Dr. Priya U. Kumthekar, Professor of Neurology and Medicine at Northwestern University who presented the findings, noted that the CNSide platform "can be used to detect gene amplification on CSF tumor cells of patients with LM and, therefore, may provide therapeutic insights to specifically target the LM tumor."

The data builds upon previously announced results from the prospective FORESEE study, which showed the CNSide platform influenced clinical management decisions in over 90% of leptomeningeal metastases cases and demonstrated 2.8 times the diagnostic sensitivity compared to standard CSF cytology.

Leptomeningeal metastases, a complication affecting the fluid-lined structures of the central nervous system, occurs in approximately 5% of patients with metastatic cancer, though postmortem studies suggest the actual incidence may be around 20%.

The majority of patients in the study (74%) were female, with breast cancer (105 patients) and lung cancer (65 patients) being the most analyzed cancer types.

The information in this article is based on a press release statement from Plus Therapeutics. Despite recent stock volatility, with shares down 24.3% in the past week, InvestingPro analysis suggests the stock is currently trading below its Fair Value. Investors can access detailed financial analysis, 11 additional ProTips, and comprehensive Pro Research Reports covering Plus Therapeutics and 1,400+ other US stocks through InvestingPro’s premium service.

In other recent news, Plus Therapeutics announced that it received a $1.6 million advance from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas as part of a previously awarded $17.6 million grant. The company also began treating patients in the ReSPECT-LM dose optimization trial for REYOBIQ, targeting leptomeningeal metastases. Additionally, Plus Therapeutics received an extension from a Nasdaq Hearings Panel to regain compliance with Nasdaq Capital Market listing standards, following a previous notification of non-compliance due to a stockholders’ deficit. Plus Therapeutics plans to launch its CNSide diagnostic platform in Texas next month, initially targeting major cancer centers. In light of these developments, H.C. Wainwright lowered its price target for Plus Therapeutics to $3.00 from $5.50, while maintaining a Buy rating. The firm noted the company’s plans to commercialize the CNSide diagnostic in the second half of 2025.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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