Metabolite-Based Biosignature of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common pancreatic neoplasm and one of the leading causes of cancer-associated deaths. Lack of precise biomarkers makes diagnosis at initial resectable stage a challenging task. It is well known that cancer cells adjust their metabolism to support their nutritional and energy requirements. This metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment is an important event during tumor growth. Branched-chain amino acids are used by cancer cells as a source of energy and metabolic enzyme branched-chain aminotransferase and have emerged as useful prognostic cancer markers. Dysregulated lipid profile of cancer cells with elevated synthesis of lipids required for formation of cell membrane of rapidly proliferating cancer cells is another important aberration of metabolism. Metabolites appear in the tissues or biofluids such as urine and blood that can be detected even at minute levels. Role of metabolomics in discovery of diagnostic biomarkers for pancreatic cancer is a powerful noninvasive method to detect low-molecular-weight metabolites at initial stages. Using panel of metabolite-based biomarkers could be the future of diagnosing pancreatic cancer at initial stage of the tumor development.