An HR-MAS MR metabolomics study on breast tissues obtained with core needle biopsy

PLoS One. 2011;6(10):e25563. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0025563. Epub 2011 Oct 18.

Abstract

Background: Much research has been devoted to the development of new breast cancer diagnostic measures, including those involving high-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopic techniques. Previous HR-MAS MR results have been obtained from post-surgery samples, which limits their direct clinical applicability.

Methodology/principal findings: In the present study, we performed HR-MAS MR spectroscopic studies on 31 breast tissue samples (13 cancer and 18 non-cancer) obtained by percutaneous core needle biopsy. We showed that cancer and non-cancer samples can be discriminated very well with Orthogonal Projections to Latent Structure-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) multivariate model on the MR spectra. A subsequent blind test showed 69% sensitivity and 94% specificity in the prediction of the cancer status. A spectral analysis showed that in cancer cells, taurine- and choline-containing compounds are elevated. Our approach, additionally, could predict the progesterone receptor statuses of the cancer patients.

Conclusions/significance: HR-MAS MR metabolomics on intact breast tissues obtained by core needle biopsy may have a potential to be used as a complement to the current diagnostic and prognostic measures for breast cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Biopsy, Needle / methods*
  • Breast / cytology
  • Breast / metabolism*
  • Breast / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Discriminant Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / methods*
  • Metabolomics / methods*
  • Middle Aged
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Prognosis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor