Parotid saliva 1H-NMR analysis for colon cancer metabolomics

Background
The key priority in cancer research is the identification of molecular biomarkers to improve early diagnosis, guide prognosis, and the design of new therapeutic approaches. Saliva is a powerful diagnostic biofluid that can be used to detect systemic alterations.
Aim
This study aimed to investigate the parotid saliva (PS) metabolic Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) profile of a patient diagnosed with colon cancer, and the subsequent changes 1 year after the end of chemotherapy.
Materials and methods
We describe the 1H-NMRPS spectrum of a 65-year-old woman diagnosed with colon cancer (G3 pT3 pN1c) (T0), and the changes in the spectrum from PS collected 1 year after the end of chemotherapy (XELOX: capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) (T1). The data was co-analyzed with blood test cancer antigens (S-CEA; S-CA19-9) and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) measurements obtained simultaneously in order to identify peaks and interpret the spectra. The blood cancer antigens (S-CEA; S-CA19-9) and the PS 1H-NMR peaks for fatty acids, lactate, acetate, N-acetyl sugars, citrate, tyrosine, saccharides, and formate decreased at T1 compared to T0. Whereas, the thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) blood values increased at T1 compared to T0 reflecting the changes in the 1H-NMR spectral window of 1–3.5 ppm.
Conclusion
PS 1H-NMR profiling identified modified metabolites that revealed cancer cells metabolism disturbances that subsequently decreased with time throughout treatment. These altered metabolites are potential biomarkers, providing a molecular diagnostic approach for clinical diagnosis, and prognosis of human colon cancer.

KEYWORDS
1H-NMR analysis, colon cancer, saliva

Dr Angela Rovera

EDUCATION
2008- 2012 Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Dental School, University of Turin, Italy
2013- 2014 Master of Science in Implant-Prosthetic Dentistry (MSc), Dental School, University of Turin, Italy
2018- 2020 Post-Graduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCap), University of London, UK
2016- 2022 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Institute of Dentistry, University of London, UK
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2012- now Clinical Practitioner and Head of Dental Practice, Italy
2014- 2015 Clinical Research Fellow in Implant-Prosthetic Dentistry, University of Verona, Italy
2019- now Board of Directors Member of Italian National Dental Association (ANDI) Section of Cuneo, Italy
2019- now European Regional Organisation (ERO) of International Dental Federation (FDI) Member of the Working Groups (WGs):
- Relation between Universities and Dental Practices
- Liberal Dental Practice
- Women Dentists Worldwide
2020- now Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA), UK
2020- now Examiner for Objective Structured Clinical Examination, Royal Colleges of Physicians, UK
2020- now Associate of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (AIEMA)
SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY
2012- now Keynote speaker at national and international congresses
2012- now Author of publications on international journals
2016- now Member of International Association for Dental Research (IADR)
2017- now Member of European Organisation for Caries Research (ORCA)