Application of metabolomics in sarcoma: from biomarkers to therapeutic targets

摘要: Sarcomas are a large and heterogeneous group of more than 70 malignant primary neoplasms derived from mesenchymal origin [1, 2]. Bone soft tissue sarcoma the main types sarcoma. Although causes approximately 1% all cancer-related deaths, it accounts for 19-21% deaths in children adolescents [2, 3]. At present, diagnosis remains dependent on clinical description, radiographic assessment, histopathologic staging systems Despite an increased understanding molecular pathogenesis during past two decades, reliable biomarkers to enable screening surveillance still unavailable. Importantly, identifying specific detect at onset monitor disease progression continues be overwhelming challenge. Furthermore, surgery combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy irradiation therapy represent current standard treatments sarcoma, which have significantly raised prognosis this plateau that has been maintained last 30 years [2]. New therapeutic strategies as well diagnostic, prognostic predictive remain unmet needs management sarcoma. “Omic” technologies entail high-throughput approaches systems-level studies genes or gene products, promise better tumor oncogenesis can improve facilitate emergence personalized [4, 5]. genomics, transcriptomics proteomics significant impact general processes, some limitations discovery diagnostic treatment targets through gene/protein expression data recognized recent [6]. The major challenge is identify key “signals” drive traits interest (e.g. disease, drug response, etc.), such genomic changes their real influence phenotype. Therefore, other methods directly affect phenotypes, metabolomics shed light search biomarkers, targets. Metabolomics new discipline evaluates diverse metabolite concentrations biological specimens gain insight into ongoing metabolism [7, 8]. Metabolites highly stable end products various metabolic pathways closest link between genotype phenotypes cell. Thus metabolites may applications cancer diagnosis, prognosis, evaluation [9]. number present human organism currently 40,000 expanding [10]. Metabolomics provides comprehensive measurement entire metabolome reflects genome, epigenome, transcriptome proteome, interactions environment [11]. Moreover, detects array rather single assay, so process convenient result believed indicative status [7]. In particular, cells known possess unique signatures when compared normal [12]. To date, metabolomic already published investigations aimed discover several cancers colorectal, breast, liver, lung, ovarian, prostate, pancreatic [13-19]. integration “omic” reveals simple sum individual experiments possibly access understand among cellular contents [20, 21]. In review, we summarize state knowledge regarding contribution sarcomas, its potential targets.