Raman spectroscopy and imaging: applications in human breast cancer diagnosis

• Published in: Analyst (London) 2012-08, Vol.137 (16), p.3773-378
• Main Authors: Brozek-Pluska, Beata, Musial, Jacek, Kordek, Radzislaw, Bailo, Elena, Dieing, Thomas, Abramczyk, Halina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor - metabolism; Breast; Breast - cytology; Breast - metabolism; Breast - pathology; Breast Neoplasms - diagnosis; Breast Neoplasms - metabolism; Breast Neoplasms - pathology; Cancer; Chemistry; Diagnosis; Exact sciences and technology; Fatty Acids - metabolism; Human; Humans; Imaging; Molecular Imaging - methods; Patients; Raman spectroscopy; Spectrometric and optical methods; Spectrum Analysis, Raman - methods; Vibration
• ISSN: 0003-2654; 1364-5528
• DOI: 10.1039/c2an16179f

The applications of spectroscopic methods in cancer detection open new possibilities in early stage diagnostics. Raman spectroscopy and Raman imaging represent novel and rapidly developing tools in cancer diagnosis. In the study described in this paper Raman spectroscopy has been employed to examine noncancerous and cancerous human breast tissues of the same patient. The most significant differences between noncancerous and cancerous tissues were found in regions characteristic for the vibrations of carotenoids, lipids and proteins. Particular attention was paid to the role played by unsaturated fatty acids in the differentiation between the noncancerous and the cancerous tissues. Comparison of Raman spectra of the noncancerous and the cancerous tissues with the spectra of oleic, linoleic, -linolenic, -linolenic, docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids has been presented. The role of sample preparation in the determination of cancer markers is also discussed in this study. The fatty acid metabolism products monitored and identified by Raman spectroscopy in cancerous breast tissue may be related to important mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis.