Reduced Plasma Levels of Very-Long-Chain Dicarboxylic Acid 28:4 in Italian and Brazilian Colorectal Cancer Patient Cohorts

Paul L Wood; Michelle M Donohue; John E Cebak; Taylor G Beckmann; Márcia Cristina Fernandes Messias; Laura Credidio; Cláudio Saddy Rodrigues Coy; Patrícia de Oliveira Carvalho; Sara Crotti; Sara D'Aronco; Emanuele D L Urso; Marco Agostini

doi:10.3390/metabo8040091

Reduced Plasma Levels of Very-Long-Chain Dicarboxylic Acid 28:4 in Italian and Brazilian Colorectal Cancer Patient Cohorts

Metabolites. 2018 Dec 6;8(4):91. doi: 10.3390/metabo8040091.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Metabolomics Unit, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy, Harrogate, TN 37752, USA. paul.wood@lmunet.edu.
² Metabolomics Unit, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy, Harrogate, TN 37752, USA. michelle.donohue@lmunet.edu.
³ Metabolomics Unit, College of Veterinary Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy, Harrogate, TN 37752, USA. john.cebak@lmunet.edu.
⁴ Department of Medicine, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy., Harrogate, TN 37752, USA. john.cebak@lmunet.edu.
⁵ Department of Medicine, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lincoln Memorial University, 6965 Cumberland Gap Pkwy., Harrogate, TN 37752, USA. taylor.beckmann@lmunet.edu.
⁶ Laboratory of Multidisciplinary Research, São Francisco University (USF), Bragança Paulista, São Paulo 12916-900, Brazil. marcia_cfmessias@hotmail.com.
⁷ Department of Surgery, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 12916-900, Brazil. laurabio@gmail.com.
⁸ Department of Surgery, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo 12916-900, Brazil. claudiocoy@gmail.com.
⁹ Laboratory of Multidisciplinary Research, São Francisco University (USF), Bragança Paulista, São Paulo 12916-900, Brazil. patricia.carvalho@usf.edu.br.
¹⁰ Nano-Inspired Biomedicine Lab, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica-Città della Speranza, 35127 Padua, Italy. s.crotti@irpcds.org.
¹¹ Nano-Inspired Biomedicine Lab, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica-Città della Speranza, 35127 Padua, Italy. edl.urso@unipd.it.
¹² First Surgery Clinic, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua 35128, Italy. edl.urso@unipd.it.
¹³ Nano-Inspired Biomedicine Lab, Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica-Città della Speranza, 35127 Padua, Italy. m.agostini@unipd.it.
¹⁴ First Surgery Clinic, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua 35128, Italy. m.agostini@unipd.it.

Abstract

Background: There are currently no blood-based biomarkers for early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Previous research has suggested that very-long-chain dicarboxylic acid (VLCDCA) 28:4 might be such a biomarker.

Methods: Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, we analyzed VLCDCA 28:4 in the plasma of colorectal cancer patients in Italian [n = 62] and Brazilian [n = 52] cohorts. Additionally, we investigated individuals diagnosed with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP; n = 27), one of the most important clinical forms of inherited susceptibility to colorectal cancer. Results: Decrements in plasma levels of VLCDCA 28:4 were monitored in colorectal cancer patients. These decreases were independent of the stage of tumor development and the individual's age. However, no decrements in VLCDCA 28:4 were monitored in FAP patients.

Conclusions: The plasma levels of VLCDCA 28:4 represent a potential biomarker of sporadic colorectal cancer. In addition, it is possible that resupply of this anti-inflammatory lipid may represent a new therapeutic strategy for CRC and inflammatory disorders.

Keywords: cancer biomarker; colorectal cancer; familial adenomatous polyposis; high-resolution mass spectrometry; inflammation; very-long-chain dicarboxylic acid 28:4.