Metabolomic Profiling Highlights Differences Among Brain Tumor Specimens

A groundbreaking metabolic profiling study has yielded new insights into the growth and spread of aggressive brain tumors (glioblastoma).

Investigators at the Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa, FL, USA) worked with the biotech company Metabolon Inc. (Durham, NC, USA) to establish metabolomic profiles of patient-derived glioma specimens.

For this study, Metabolon used a nontargeted platform that incorporated liquid and gas chromatography combined with mass spectroscopy for quantitative analysis of a broad spectrum of molecules from the glioblastoma samples. Hundreds of different biochemical compounds were analyzed in each sample, with the platform detecting amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, cofactors, nucleosides, and other molecules. From this analysis, it was possible to pinpoint biochemical perturbations related to the phenotypic behavior of the sample.

Results published in the October 1, 2012, online edition of the journal Cancer Research identified specific metabolic profiles that differentiated low- and high-grade tumors, with the metabolic signature of glioblastoma reflecting accelerated anabolic metabolism. In total, the investigators identified three glistoblastoma subclasses, which they termed energetic, anabolic, and phospholipid catabolism with prognostic relevance.

“For the first time, we have described global metabolomic signatures in glioma,” said first author Dr. Prakash Chinnaiyan, an assistant member in the experimental therapeutics program at the Moffitt Cancer Center. “This use of metabolomics, which is the global quantitative assessment of metabolites within a biological system, has enabled us to identify some of the central metabolic pathways that allow for these tumors to grow. Our findings provide a unique insight into the underlying biology of glioma and appear to have prognostic significance.”

“Simply put, with regards to tumor growth, there are several means to the same end. Rather than studying and targeting the means, tumor metabolism represents the end consequence of these aberrant signaling pathways,” said Dr. Chinnaiyan.

Related Links:
Moffitt Cancer Center
Metabolon Inc.