Identification of lipid biomarkers at different stages of breast cancer by rapid evaporative ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) using syngeneic balb/c mice breast cancer model.

Abstract

Lipid metabolite profiling of different phases, i.e., early phase (EP) and metastatic phase, was carried out to find out potential lipid biomarkers in breast cancer. Breast cancer was induced using 4T1 cells in a syngeneic mice model using balb/c mice. Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry (REIMS) was employed to elucidate the lipid biomarker profile. REIMS analysis revealed 25 significant lipid metabolites with biomarker potential for breast cancer. Definite expression variations of different lipid biomarkers highlight the hallmark lipid biomarker, which in turn might be playing a crucial role in breast cancer induction and progression. Different classes of lipids, such as phospholipids, steroids, fatty acids, etc. were observed in the analysis, and they were found to participate in vital pathways including glycerophospholipid metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, fructose and mannose metabolism, either lipid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, inositol phosphate metabolism and the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, respectively, during breast cancer events. Therefore, these lipid metabolites can be considered a potential lipid biomarker for better diagnosis, such as early detection, and to design an effective breast cancer treatment in the future.