lipidomics – lipids
Introduction to Lipidomics
Lipids play a crucial role in cancer biology, with changes in lipid metabolism common in both normal and pathological processes. Lipidomics, a branch of metabolomics, analyzes lipid interactions in tissues, cells, or organisms, providing insights into cancer progression and aiding in the early detection of tumors.
Clinical Lipidomics
Clinical lipidomics focuses on lipid profiling in patient samples such as cells, tissues, and body fluids. With advanced tools like mass spectrometry, it offers improved stability and sensitivity during treatment, aiding in early cancer diagnosis, disease monitoring, and precision medicine.
lipidomics – Clinical Lipidomics
Mass Spectrometry in Lipidomics
Mass spectrometry (MS) is essential for lipidomics, enabling precise and high-throughput lipid analysis. Different types of mass spectrometers provide unique advantages:
- Quadrupole MS: Ideal for quantitative lipid analysis due to its selectivity and sensitivity.
- Time-of-Flight (TOF) MS: Provides high mass accuracy and broad lipid profiling.
- Orbitrap MS: Known for its high mass resolution and accuracy, crucial for discovering novel lipids.
- Tandem MS (MS/MS): Breaks down lipid molecules to provide structural details necessary for identification.
These MS technologies ensure reliable and comprehensive lipid profiling, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment decisions.
Lipidomics Databases
Several robust databases support lipidomics research:
- LIPID MAPS: A comprehensive resource for identifying lipid structures and pathways.
- SwissLipids: Provides detailed lipid classification and metabolic pathway data.
- LIPIDBANK: Focuses on lipid nomenclature and structure, aiding in lipid identification across species.
These databases help researchers interpret complex lipidomic profiles with greater accuracy and depth.
Tumor Diagnosis
Lipids undergo metabolic shifts in early tumor development. Mass spectrometry techniques enable the capture of these changes, helping to improve cancer detection. Monoclonal antibodies developed in the 1980s have led to the identification of key cancer biomarkers like CA125 and CA199, which are now prevalent in clinical serum tests.
Applications of Lipidomics in Various Cancers
Stomach Cancer
Research shows that palmitic acid levels drop significantly in gastric cancer, impairing tumor cell invasion and migration. By identifying these lipid changes, researchers can track tumor progression and discover potential therapeutic targets.
Prostate Cancer
In prostate cancer, extracellular vesicles (EVs) from non-tumorigenic patients contain more fatty acids, while tumorigenic cells show elevated levels of sphingolipids and glycerophospholipids. These findings offer insight into disease progression and may identify new treatment targets.
Endometrial Cancer
Preoperative lipid biomarkers can help assess endometrial cancer patient risk, guiding treatment decisions. Reduced phosphatidylcholine levels and changes in eicosane metabolism have been linked to poor outcomes, suggesting new targets for aggressive cancer subtypes.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer poses challenges due to high recurrence rates and drug resistance. Lipidomic studies have revealed key lipids associated with different cancer stages, aiding in predicting patient survival and identifying cisplatin-resistant tumor types.
Glial Tumors
IDH1 mutations in low-grade glioblastoma significantly alter lipid metabolism. By studying these changes, researchers can better understand tumor growth and identify potential therapeutic pathways.
Conclusion
Lipidomics has emerged as a powerful tool in cancer research, revealing the key role lipid metabolism plays in tumor progression. By targeting lipid metabolic pathways, researchers aim to develop more precise diagnostic tools and therapies for cancer. Advances in mass spectrometry continue to improve lipid biomarker detection, offering potential for non-invasive testing, early diagnosis, and better patient outcomes.
As lipidomic technologies evolve, they promise to transform cancer care, providing new opportunities for personalized treatments and improved survival rates.
AxisPharm’s Mass Spec-Based Lipidomics Service
AxisPharm provides state-of-the-art mass spectrometry-based lipidomics services. Using advanced tools like quadrupole, TOF, and Orbitrap MS, they deliver high-throughput and accurate lipid profiles. Additionally, AxisPharm leverages top lipidomics databases such as LIPID MAPS, SwissLipids, and LIPIDBANK to ensure comprehensive analysis. For precise results in cancer research or therapeutic development, contact AxisPharm to enhance your lipidomics projects.
Reference
Wang, Y. Applications of Lipidomics in Tumor Diagnosis and Therapy. Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 1316, 25-39, (2021).