Targeted metabolomics in bladder cancer: From analytical methods development and validation towards application to...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Clinical Chemistry
• Oncology

Background:

• Bladder cancer is a major global health concern with high mortality.
• Previous research identified 17 differentiating urine metabolites.
• Need for a validated method to quantify these specific metabolites.

Purpose of the Study:

• Develop and validate a quantitative analytical method for 17 urine metabolites.
• Utilize reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC-QQQ/MS).
• Establish method sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility for bladder cancer diagnostics.

Main Methods:

• Optimized chromatographic conditions and sample preparation.
• Validated method using Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines.
• Applied the method to urine samples from 40 bladder cancer patients and 40 healthy volunteers.

Main Results:

• Achieved low limit of quantification (LOQ) values (0.69–35.02 ng/ml).
• Developed method demonstrated good recovery and precision within FDA guidelines.
• Ten of the 17 metabolites showed statistically significant concentration differences (p < 0.05) in bladder cancer patients.

Conclusions:

• The developed RP-HPLC-QQQ/MS method is sensitive, selective, and reproducible.
• Quantification of specific urine metabolites can aid in bladder cancer detection.
• Identified key metabolites involved in pathways like gut flora metabolism and purine metabolism.