Here's a bit of code using the beforeLoad function defined within grid options.
I use it to re-populate a column's drop down list via Ajax use XHConn (
http://xkr.us/code/javascript/XHConn/) before the load of new data. The URL it calls returns a comma-separated list of values. The below may help in providing a means of achieving what you seek to achieve.
beforeLoad : function () {
var myConn = new XHConn();
if (! myConn) alert("XMLHTTP not available. The browser you are using will not allow me to refresh the list of team leaders.");
var fnWhenDone = function (oXML) {
var responseText = oXML.responseText;
var reportsToCol = project_team_members_grid.getColumn("reportsTo");
var leaders = responseText.split(",");
reportsToCol.editor.valueDom.options.length = leaders.length;
for (var i=0; i < leaders.length; i++) {
reportsToCol.editor.valueDom.options
.text = leaders;
reportsToCol.editor.valueDom.options.value = leaders;
}
};
myConn.connect("ajax/project_drop_down_list_value_request.php", "POST", "requested_list=current_team_leaders", fnWhenDone);
},