Metabolic Fingerprinting of Serum and Seminal Plasma of Testicular  Cancer Patients Using Raman Spectroscopy: A Pilot Study

Niknam  Lakpour; Mohammad Reza  Sadeghi; Naser  Jafarzadeh; Ralf  Henkel; Azadeh  Hajiparvaneh; Zohreh  Fathi; Roya  Ghods; Kambiz  Gilany; Zahra  Madjd

doi:10.18502/jri.v25i1.15193

Niknam Lakpour Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Reza Sadeghi Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Naser Jafarzadeh Department of Medical Physics, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Ralf Henkel Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
Azadeh Hajiparvaneh Avicenna Fertility Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Zohreh Fathi Avicenna Fertility Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Roya Ghods Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Kambiz Gilany Integrative Oncology Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Madjd Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jri.v25i1.15193

Keywords: Metabolic fingerprinting, Raman spectroscopy, Seminal plasma, Serum, Testicular cancer.

Abstract

Background: Testicular cancer (TC) is a relatively rare type of cancer in men. Early diagnosis of TC remains challenging. Metabolomics holds promise in offering valuable insights in this regard. In this study, a metabolic fingerprinting approach was employed to identify potential biomarkers in both serum and seminal plasma of TC patients.

Methods: A total of 9 patients with testicular cancer and 10 controls were included in the study. The metabolic fingerprinting approach was utilized as a rapid diagnostic tool to analyze the metabolome in serum and seminal plasma of TC patients in comparison to fertile men. Raman spectroscopy was applied for the analysis of metabolites in these biological samples.

Results: Principal component analysis (PCA) and functional group analysis showed that the differentiation between serum samples from healthy men and TC patients was not possible. However, when analyzing seminal plasma, a significant difference was found between the two groups (p<0.05). Functional group analysis of serum only showed an increase in tryptophan concentration ratio in TC patients as compared to healthy men (p=0.03). In contrast, in seminal plasma of TC patients, this increase was observed in all analyzed compounds, including phenylalanine, tyrosine, lipids, proteins, phenols (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Our study highlights the potential of metabolic fingerprinting as a fast diagnostic tool for screening TC patients, with seminal plasma serving as a valuable biological sample. Furthermore, several potential biomarkers, particularly phenylalanine, were identified in seminal plasma. This research contributes to our understanding of TC pathogenesis and has the potential to pave the way for early detection and personalized treatment approaches.