Possible common biomarkers from FTIR microspectroscopy of cervical cancer and melanoma

Detection of malignancy at early stages is crucial in cancer prevention and management. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has shown promise as a non-invasive method with diagnostic potential in cancer detection. Studies were conducted with formalin-fixed biopsies of melanoma and cervical cancer by FTIR microspectroscopy (FTIR-MSP) to detect common biomarkers, which occurred in both types of cancer distinguishing them from the respective non-malignant tissues. Both types of cancer are diagnosed on skin surfaces. The spectra were analysed for changes in levels of biomolecules such as RNA, DNA, phosphates and carbohydrate (glycogen). Whereas carbohydrate levels showed a good diagnostic potential for detection of cervical cancer, this was not the case for melanoma. However, variation of the RNA/DNA ratio as measured at I(1121)/I(1020) showed similar trends between non-malignant and malignant tissues in both types of cancer. The ratio was higher for malignant tissues in both types of cancer.