Infrared spectral analysis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors reveals diagnostic biomarkers

Abstract Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI NETs) remain diagnostically challenging due to limitations of current methods. This study pioneers the application of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for GI NET detection through plasma lipid profiling. Analyzing 22 patients and 8 co...

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Main Authors: Abhay Mishra, Priya Kumari Gorai, Parul Kaushal, Rakesh Kumar, Fredrik Nikolajeff, Saroj Kumar, Neerja Rani
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08260-3
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author Abhay Mishra
Priya Kumari Gorai
Parul Kaushal
Rakesh Kumar
Fredrik Nikolajeff
Saroj Kumar
Neerja Rani
author_facet Abhay Mishra
Priya Kumari Gorai
Parul Kaushal
Rakesh Kumar
Fredrik Nikolajeff
Saroj Kumar
Neerja Rani
author_sort Abhay Mishra
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI NETs) remain diagnostically challenging due to limitations of current methods. This study pioneers the application of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for GI NET detection through plasma lipid profiling. Analyzing 22 patients and 8 controls, we identified specific biomarker ratios (I3015/I2929 and I3015/I1650) reflecting tumor-associated oxidative stress and membrane alterations. Multivariate analysis revealed excellent diagnostic accuracy (94–96.1% sensitivity, 100% specificity) superior to conventional biomarkers, with PCA showing clear group separation (96.5% variance). The FTIR approach demonstrated significant advantages: rapid analysis (< 5 min), minimal sample requirements (4 μL), and low cost, addressing critical clinical needs. Spectral changes correlated with known lipid metabolism dysregulation in NETs, particularly increased unsaturated fatty acids (3015 cm−1) and altered acyl chain packing (2929 cm−1). These findings establish FTIR as a practical, label-free alternative to invasive diagnostics, with potential for both early detection and treatment monitoring. The identified lipid signatures not only provide robust diagnostic markers but also suggest new therapeutic targets for NET management. This cost-effective technology could transform clinical practice by enabling routine screening and personalized treatment strategies. Future studies should validate these results in larger cohorts and explore correlations with tumor grade and treatment response.
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spelling doaj-art-a114e682ae504f28a038147fb6a0c2bf2025-08-20T03:05:17ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-08260-3Infrared spectral analysis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors reveals diagnostic biomarkersAbhay Mishra0Priya Kumari Gorai1Parul Kaushal2Rakesh Kumar3Fredrik Nikolajeff4Saroj Kumar5Neerja Rani6Department of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health, Education and Technology, Lulea University of TechnologyDepartment of Biophysics, All India Institute of Medical SciencesDepartment of Anatomy, All India Institute of Medical SciencesAbstract Gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors (GI NETs) remain diagnostically challenging due to limitations of current methods. This study pioneers the application of Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for GI NET detection through plasma lipid profiling. Analyzing 22 patients and 8 controls, we identified specific biomarker ratios (I3015/I2929 and I3015/I1650) reflecting tumor-associated oxidative stress and membrane alterations. Multivariate analysis revealed excellent diagnostic accuracy (94–96.1% sensitivity, 100% specificity) superior to conventional biomarkers, with PCA showing clear group separation (96.5% variance). The FTIR approach demonstrated significant advantages: rapid analysis (< 5 min), minimal sample requirements (4 μL), and low cost, addressing critical clinical needs. Spectral changes correlated with known lipid metabolism dysregulation in NETs, particularly increased unsaturated fatty acids (3015 cm−1) and altered acyl chain packing (2929 cm−1). These findings establish FTIR as a practical, label-free alternative to invasive diagnostics, with potential for both early detection and treatment monitoring. The identified lipid signatures not only provide robust diagnostic markers but also suggest new therapeutic targets for NET management. This cost-effective technology could transform clinical practice by enabling routine screening and personalized treatment strategies. Future studies should validate these results in larger cohorts and explore correlations with tumor grade and treatment response.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08260-3FTIRGI NETSpectral markerPCALipidsProteins
spellingShingle Abhay Mishra
Priya Kumari Gorai
Parul Kaushal
Rakesh Kumar
Fredrik Nikolajeff
Saroj Kumar
Neerja Rani
Infrared spectral analysis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors reveals diagnostic biomarkers
Scientific Reports
FTIR
GI NET
Spectral marker
PCA
Lipids
Proteins
title Infrared spectral analysis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors reveals diagnostic biomarkers
title_full Infrared spectral analysis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors reveals diagnostic biomarkers
title_fullStr Infrared spectral analysis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors reveals diagnostic biomarkers
title_full_unstemmed Infrared spectral analysis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors reveals diagnostic biomarkers
title_short Infrared spectral analysis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors reveals diagnostic biomarkers
title_sort infrared spectral analysis of gastrointestinal neuroendocrine tumors reveals diagnostic biomarkers
topic FTIR
GI NET
Spectral marker
PCA
Lipids
Proteins
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08260-3
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