Exploration of Ambient Ionization Methods for Identification and Characterization of Biomarkers for Melanoma

摘要

Discovery of biological markers at the earliest possible stage of cancer progression is a priority in all aspects of cancer-related research. Earlier detection methods and more accurate markers result in lower mortality rates and higher quality of life for the patients. Cancer detection based on volatile analysis can be traced back to 1989, where a medical letter was published detailing a case where a dog noticed the presence of a malignant melanoma on its owner's skin, but has only seen a resurgence in the past decade. While studies still focus on the use of animals and devices to "smell" cancer, utilization of ambient ionization and separation methods may allow real-time, direct analysis of biomarkers for melanoma, in addition to identification of new markers. Recent studies involving ambient analysis of melanoma cells as compared to normal melanocytes have been published, revealing an apparent difference between the volatile metabolome of melanoma and melanocyte cells, but with the requirement of preconcentration and preparation steps. Development of a real-time method containing little to no sample preparation, which utilizes these, and other newly discovered, potential volatile markers would revolutionize current melanoma-detection schemes.