Metabolomics in cancer detection: A review of techniques, biomarkers, and clinical utility

Cancer poses a significant burden on global public health, contributing to high mortality rates worldwide. Ongoing diagnostic strategies have predominantly relied on imaging techniques, histopathological examination and molecular analyses which have limitations in sensitivity, and specificity. Early cancer detection is a pivotal determinant of successful treatment and patient survival rates. Metabolomic applications involve the comprehensive analysis of metabolites to understand the metabolic profile of an organism, tissue, or cell under different conditions such as lack of oxygen in tumors. The aim of this review is to provide an extensive approach of metabolomic applications in early cancer detection and to provide an overview of the strengths and limitations of metabolomic approaches in early cancer detection. Metabolomic profiling can identify specific metabolic biomarkers indicative of early-stage cancer. The identification of these biomarkers can lead to development of non-invasive diagnostic tests which can be used for early cancer screening. Several researchers have already employed the metabolomics approach for biomarker discovery, diagnosis, identifying new drug targets along with the clinical trials observations. When discussing challenges, researchers currently face a notable obstacle, the absence of standardized analytical procedures. It is imperative for the field to prioritize implementing computational tools for constructing open-source databases, thereby advancing metabolomic studies in cancer research.