Cancers that affect neural tissue, particularly brain tumors, are often associated with poor prognoses. However, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms behind their progression and associated complications remain incompletely understood. While considerable knowledge exists regarding different types of brain tumors, the processes by which they disseminate and inflict damage on adjacent brain regions are still unclear. This study examines the hypothesis that leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), along with enzymes and proteins secreted by tumor cells, may play a role in disrupting the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The research focuses on the role of CSF in brain tumors and its interaction with the BBB. The findings show that leakage typically occurs along the spinal axis, particularly in the thoracic region and the cardiorespiratory junction at the base of the brain. The study aims to identify and characterize the proteins and enzymes present in CSF by assessing: (a) the types of proteins, (b) their molecular identity, (c) their amino acid sequences, and (d) the genes responsible for their expression. In addition, this research demonstrates how tumor-derived components compromise CSF integrity and localize the specific sites of barrier disruption. The data also contribute to the identification of novel biomarkers—enzymes and toxins—released by tumor cells, providing the potential for distinguishing between normal CSF and tumor-associated proteolytic CSF profiles.
