Towards a personalized approach in pancreatic cancer diagnostics through plasma amino acid analysis

Abstract

Background/Aim: Body fluid biomarkers may provide means for early pancreatic cancer diagnosis, patient stratification, application of personalized approaches and, finally, improved outcomes. Amino acids are the most frequently distinguished metabolite class in the metabolomics of pancreatic cancer patients. They have been identified as pre-diagnostic and diagnostic markers and associated with pancreatic cancer risk factors. Materials and Methods: Deep phenotyping and quantitative amino acid analysis were performed in patients scheduled for pancreatic surgery due to pancreatic tumors (n=75). Results: Significant differences in plasma amino acid concentrations were observed between diagnostic categories (malignant vs. benign lesions and histological cancer types) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma stages. Characteristic patterns of plasma amino acid concentration dynamics according to cancer stage were identified. Conclusion: Standardization of metabolomics methods and deep phenotyping may provide means for improved patient stratification and effective personalized approaches in pancreatic cancer prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.