Revealing Metabolic Markers of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis Based on Spatial Metabolomics

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2025.04.004

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To identify potential biomarkers and possible metabolic pathways of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) through desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI). Methods: Ten cases of OSCC included in this study were all primary cases treated with surgery in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Jiangsu University Affiliated Hospital. Tissue samples were collected for detection by DESI-MSI system, and differential metabolites were identified using multivariate and univariate statistical analysis. The diagnostic ability of differential metabolites was further analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve) analysis. Finally, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway analysis was performed to determine the relevant metabolic pathways. Results: According to metabolic profile, a total of 144 metabolites were identified in tumor tissue and normal tissue, most of which were fatty acids. ROC curve analysis was further performed and it was found that area under the curve (AUC) of all 144 metabolites was greater than 0.7. The ion imaging of metabolites accurately distinguished tumor tissue from normal tissue.The differential metabolites between tumor tissue and normal tissue mainly participate in two metabolic pathways, namely the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and biosynthesis of fatty acids. Conclusion: Based on DESI-MSI, differential metabolites with diagnostic value were screened, and the metabolism dysregulation of biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and fatty acids in OSCC tissues was found, which may be closely related to the occurrence and development of OSCC.

Key words: oral squamous cell carcinoma, DESI-MSI, spatial metabolomics, lipid metabolism

ZHAO Huiting, HAN Wei, LUO Guanfa, LU Wen, FU Yujuan, TAN Xiao, HU Qingang, YANG Xihu. Revealing Metabolic Markers of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Diagnosis Based on Spatial Metabolomics[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2025, 41(4): 287-292.

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