Real-Time Molecular Diagnosis of Tumors Using Water-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Technology

Cancer Cell. 2018 Nov 12;34(5):840-851.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2018.09.009. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Abstract

Histopathological diagnosis of biopsy samples and margin assessment of surgical specimens are challenging aspects in sarcoma. Using dog patient tissues, we assessed the performance of a recently developed technology for fast ex vivo molecular lipid-based diagnosis of sarcomas. The instrument is based on mass spectrometry (MS) molecular analysis through a laser microprobe operating under ambient conditions using excitation of endogenous water molecules. Classification models based on cancer/normal/necrotic, tumor grade, and subtypes showed a minimum of 97.63% correct classification. Specific markers of normal, cancer, and necrotic regions were identified by tandem MS and validated by MS imaging. Real-time detection capabilities were demonstrated by ex vivo analysis with direct interrogation of classification models.

Keywords: SpiderMass; ambient ionization mass spectrometry; cancer; diagnostic; laser microprobe; molecular signatures; non-invasive; real time; sarcoma; surgery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dogs
  • Early Detection of Cancer / methods*
  • Lipids / analysis*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / methods*
  • Neoplasm Grading / methods
  • Sarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Sarcoma / pathology*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*

Substances

  • Lipids