Plasma metabolomics of oral squamous cell carcinomas based on NMR and MS approaches provides biomarker identification and survival prediction

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Polachini, Giovana Mussi ; de Castro, Tialfi Bergamin ; Smarra, Luis Fabiano Soares ; Henrique, Tiago ; de Paula, Carlos Henrique Diniz ; Severino, Patricia ; Lopez, Rossana Veronica Mendoza ; Carvalho, Andre Lopes ; de Mattos Zeri, Ana Carolina ; Silva, Ismael Dale Cotrim Guerreiro ; Tajara, Eloiza H.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS; v. 13, n. 1, p. 21-pg., 2023-05-26.

Abstract

Metabolomics has proven to be an important omics approach to understand the molecular pathways underlying the tumour phenotype and to identify new clinically useful markers. The literature on cancer has illustrated the potential of this approach as a diagnostic and prognostic tool. The present study aimed to analyse the plasma metabolic profile of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and controls and to compare patients with metastatic and primary tumours at different stages and subsites using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. To our knowledge, this is the only report that compared patients at different stages and subsites and replicates collected in diverse institutions at different times using these methodologies. Our results showed a plasma metabolic OSCC profile suggestive of abnormal ketogenesis, lipogenesis and energy metabolism, which is already present in early phases but is more evident in advanced stages of the disease. Reduced levels of several metabolites were also associated with an unfavorable prognosis. The observed metabolomic alterations may contribute to inflammation, immune response inhibition and tumour growth, and may be explained by four nonexclusive views-differential synthesis, uptake, release, and degradation of metabolites. The interpretation that assimilates these views is the cross talk between neoplastic and normal cells in the tumour microenvironment or in more distant anatomical sites, connected by biofluids, signalling molecules and vesicles. Additional population samples to evaluate the details of these molecular processes may lead to the discovery of new biomarkers and novel strategies for OSCC prevention and treatment. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/07293-0 - Lipid profile in Head and Neck Cancer
• Grantee: Tialfi Bergamin de Castro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/07087-0 - Lipid profile in head and neck cancer
• Grantee: Tialfi Bergamin de Castro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 21/03647-1 - Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metabolic homeostasis markers associated with resistance to chemotherapy drug cetuximab and collateral sensitivity to piplartine in head and neck Carcinoma
• Grantee: Carlos Henrique de Paula Diniz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 11/23353-0 - Analysis of glycosylated proteins and metabolites in oral squamous cell carcinomas
• Grantee: Giovana Mussi Polachini
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 10/51168-0 - Environmental, clinical, histopathological and molecular factors associated with development and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
• Grantee: Eloiza Helena Tajara da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants