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Metabolomics of Papanicolaou Tests for the Discovery of Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers

  • 0School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
Metabolites +

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November 26, 2024

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November 26, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Pap tests can be used for ovarian cancer screening. This study found 453 common lipids in Pap tests from women over 50, establishing a baseline for future ovarian cancer metabolomics research.

Area Of Science

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Gynecology

Background

  • Ovarian cancer (OC) is a lethal malignancy often diagnosed late due to lack of sensitive screening.
  • Cervical cancer screening via Papanicolaou (Pap) tests is effective, and OC cells/markers may be present in Pap tests.
  • Early detection of OC improves prognosis, but current screening methods are limited.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate the feasibility of using residual Pap test samples for ovarian cancer (OC)-related metabolomics.
  • To explore the potential of Pap tests as biospecimens for OC screening.
  • To establish a lipidome baseline from Pap tests in women over 50.

Main Methods

  • 29 Pap test samples from women >50 years old with normal cytology were analyzed.
  • Cell pellets and supernatants underwent biphasic extraction and RP-LC-MS and HILIC-LC-MS analyses.
  • Non-targeted metabolomics detected features (220-1000 m/z) to assess workflow sensitivity and sample viability.

Main Results

  • Exploratory data from cell pellets highlighted potential for metabolomics and lipidomics studies using Pap tests.
  • 7318 features detected in positive ion mode and 3733 in negative ion mode; 22.85% and 36.19% annotated, respectively.
  • 453 unique lipids across 20 subclasses were annotated in all samples, with ceramides, triacylglycerols, hexosylceramides, and phosphatidylcholines being most abundant.

Conclusions

  • The 453 common lipids identified establish a relative lipidome baseline for women >50 with normal cervical cytology.
  • This study is the first to use residual Pap test samples in a metabolomics/lipidomics workflow.
  • Residual Pap tests show promise as viable biospecimens for OC-related metabolomics research.

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