Multi-Modal Mass Spectrometric Imaging of Uveal Melanoma

Laura M Cole; Joshua Handley; Emmanuelle Claude; Catherine J Duckett; Hardeep S Mudhar; Karen Sisley; Malcolm R Clench

doi:10.3390/metabo11080560

Multi-Modal Mass Spectrometric Imaging of Uveal Melanoma

Metabolites. 2021 Aug 23;11(8):560. doi: 10.3390/metabo11080560.

Authors

Laura M Cole¹, Joshua Handley¹, Emmanuelle Claude², Catherine J Duckett¹, Hardeep S Mudhar³, Karen Sisley⁴, Malcolm R Clench¹

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Mass Spectrometry Imaging, Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S1 1WB, UK.
² Waters Corporation, Wilmslow SK9 4AX, UK.
³ NSOPS, Department of Histopathology, E-Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF, UK.
⁴ Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2RX, UK.

Abstract

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI), was used to obtain images of lipids and metabolite distribution in formalin fixed and embedded in paraffin (FFPE) whole eye sections containing primary uveal melanomas (UM). Using this technique, it was possible to obtain images of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) type lipid distribution that highlighted the tumour regions. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry images (LA-ICP-MS) performed on UM sections showed increases in copper within the tumour periphery and intratumoural zinc in tissue from patients with poor prognosis. These preliminary data indicate that multi-modal MSI has the potential to provide insights into the role of trace metals and cancer metastasis.

Keywords: cancer progression; genetic biomarkers; heterogeneity; laser ablation inductively coupled plasma; matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation; uveal melanoma mass spectrometry imaging.