Raman spectroscopy detects melanoma and the tissue surrounding melanoma using tissue-engineered melanoma models

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Optics
• Cancer Research
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Melanoma invasion involves complex interactions with surrounding tissues and the extracellular matrix.
• The precise biochemical changes during melanoma invasion are not fully understood.
• Advanced spectroscopic techniques are needed to probe these interactions at a molecular level.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate biochemical differences between melanoma and normal human skin using Raman spectroscopy.
• To analyze changes in the peri-tumor area and within dense tumor regions.
• To compare molecular alterations in two distinct melanoma cell lines (A375SM and C8161) within 3D models.

Main Methods:

• Application of Raman spectroscopy to cryo-sections of established 3D melanoma models in human skin.
• Utilizing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to differentiate between tumor, peri-tumor, and normal skin tissues.
• Analysis of spectral data to identify changes in protein, lipid, and glycogen content and conformation.

Main Results:

• Significant biochemical changes detected across entire melanoma samples, including altered protein conformations and tryptophan configurations.
• Specific alterations in tyrosine orientation and lipid packing observed in dense tumor areas.
• Increased glycogen content identified in the peri-tumor regions, indicating metabolic changes associated with invasion.

Conclusions:

• Raman spectroscopy effectively distinguishes melanoma from normal tissue and reveals biochemical alterations at the tumor perimeter.
• The study highlights molecular changes in protein, lipid, and glycogen composition during melanoma invasion.
• Findings provide insights into the biochemical microenvironment of melanoma and its interactions with surrounding skin tissues.